Greater Painted-snipe

Scientific Name: Rostratula benghalensis

Malay Name: Meragi Biasa

Chinese Name: 彩鹬

Range: Found from Africa to the Indian subcontinent, China, southern Japan, Southeast Asia and Australia.

Taxonomy: Monotypic.

Size: 23-26 cm

Identification: Differentiated from other snipe species by distinctive white spectacles, narrow buffish median stripe and bill that droops slightly at tip. Female has blackish crown, dark maroon-chestnut head, neck and upper breast, blackish breast band, white belly and white band around shoulder. Plumage of male is somewhat paler with greyish brown head-sides, neck, upper breast and rich buffish markings on wing-coverts. Juvenile resembles male but wing-coverts greyer.

Habitat: Freshwater marshes and well-vegetated wetlands.

Behaviour/Ecology: Quite secretive and mainly crepuscular.

Local Status: Uncommon resident

Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2016)

Location: Recent sightings were at Lorong Halus, Kranji Marsh, Pasir Ris and Jurong Central Park.

Featured articles:

Greater Painted-snipe at Kranji Marshes. Photo credit: Francis Yap
Female Greater Painted-snipe at Jurong West Street 42. Photo Credit: Francis Yap
Male Greater Painted-snipes at Jurong West Street 42. Photo Credit: Francis Yap
Greater Painted-snipe at Kranji Marshes. Photo credit: Francis Yap
Greater Painted-snipe at Seletar. Photo credit: Francis Yap
External Links:

Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page

Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link

Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link

eBird Species page: eBird (Greater Painted-Snipe)

References:

BirdLife International. (2016). Rostratula benghalensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22735810A95118332.en. Accessed on 1 January 2023

Robson, C. (2014). Field guide to the birds of South-East Asia (Second Edition). Bloomsbury Publishing, London.

RECOMMENDED CITATION

Singapore Birds Project. (n.d.). Greater Painted-snipe. Retrieved on May 27, 2023 from https://singaporebirds.com/species/greater-painted-snipe.