African snipe

Introduction: African snipes (Gallinago nigripennis) inhabit vleis, marshes and wet grasslands and the flood plains of the Okavango Delta. Often keeps under or near cover when sunbathing or roosting.

Distribution: Northern Namibia including Etosha National Park, Rundu and the Caprivi.

Diet: Full length of bill is usually probed into soft mud near shallow flooded vegetation for insect larvae, crabs and seeds.

Description: Nigripennis is Latin for 'black-winged' and this species is often confused with the great snipe.

Breeding: A saucer shaped nest made of grass or rushes is built high enough to protect the 2 eggs from being affected by seasonal water levels, between July and September.

Size: 29cm.

Weight: 140g.