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.
- Local extinctions of Singapore birds (Science)
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
Bird Society of Singapore. (n.d.). Greater Painted-snipe. Retrieved on November 25, 2023 from https://singaporebirds.com/species/greater-painted-snipe.