| Wilson's snipe | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Charadriiformes |
| Family: | Scolopacidae |
| Genus: | Gallinago |
| Species: | G. delicata
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| Binomial name | |
| Gallinago delicata (Ord, 1825)
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| Synonyms | |
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Gallinago gallinago delicata Ord, 1825 | |
Wilson's snipe (Gallinago delicata) is a small, stocky shorebird.[2] The generic name Gallinago is Neo-Latin for a woodcock or snipe from Latin gallina, "hen" and the suffix -ago, "resembling". The specific name delicata is Latin for "dainty".[3]
This species was considered to be a subspecies of the common snipe (G. gallinago) until 2003 when it was given its own species status, though not all authorities recognized this immediately.[4] Wilson's snipe differs from the latter species in having a narrower white trailing edge to the wings, and eight pairs of tail feathers instead of the typical seven of the common snipe.[5] Its common name commemorates the American ornithologist Alexander Wilson.
- ^ BirdLife International (2020). "Gallinago delicata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T22729867A182637179. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T22729867A182637179.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ "Wilson's Snipe". All About Birds. Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
- ^ Jobling, James A (2010). The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. London: Christopher Helm. pp. 132, 170. ISBN 978-1-4081-2501-4.
- ^ Wilson's Snipe (Gallinago delicata) - BirdLife species factsheet
- ^ "Wilson's Snipe". Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
The Wilson's Snipe typically has 16 tail feathers, whereas the common snipe has 14.