Story: Wading birds

South Island snipe

South Island snipe

New Zealand snipes are small, stocky birds with long bills. Their plumage is chestnut and black, with pale feather margins, and parallel dark bands along the sides and top of the head. This South Island snipe was photographed on Big South Cape Island during an unsuccessful rescue attempt. The island was the final refuge of this species before its extinction in 1964, soon after rats had reached the island from a fishing boat.

Using this item

Department of Conservation
Reference: 10040147
Photograph by Don Merton

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How to cite this page:

Gerard Hutching, 'Wading birds - Snipe', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/9180/south-island-snipe (accessed 30 March 2024)

Story by Gerard Hutching, published 12 Jun 2006, reviewed & revised 17 Feb 2015