Justification of Red List category
This species has a relatively large geographic range size (extent of occurrence >9,000,000 km2), and so does not approach the thresholds for consideration as threatened under range size criteria. A recent estimate of its population size is 12,700 individuals (Lesterhuis et al. in prep), equating to approximately 8,500 mature individuals, although this estimate is considered low quality owing to its nocturnal habits and extremely secretive behaviour, which might exaggerate the impression of its scarcity (Van Gils et al. 2020). Despite its small population size, and suggestions that it may be decreasing in some parts of its wide range due to hunting (Van Gils et al. 2020), there is no evidence that it is declining overall at a rate approaching the thresholds for consideration as threatened. For these reasons, the species is assessed as Least Concern.
Population justification
A recent estimate of its population size is 12,700 individuals (Lesterhuis et al. in prep), equating to approximately 8,500 mature individuals, although this estimate is considered low quality owing to its nocturnal habits and extremely secretive behaviour, which might exaggerate the impression of its scarcity (Van Gils et al. 2020).
Trend justification
Some indications suggest potential declines in localised areas within its extensive range due to hunting (Van Gils et al. 2020). Nevertheless, there is currently no evidence indicating a widespread decline that would approach thresholds warranting consideration as threatened.
This taxon exists in two forms: the nominate undulata occurs in two disjunct areas, one in Colombia, and the other from Venezuela through Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana to extreme north-east Brazil; the race gigantea is found in eastern Paraguay and south-east Brazil (del Hoyo et al. 1996) and may be resident in Bolivia.
The species has been found in tall vegetation in swamps and flooded grasslands, and occasionally in dry savannas (Hayman et al. 1986), from the tropical zone locally up to 2,200 m (del Hoyo et al. 1996). It apparently also occurs in degraded habitat following forest clearance (J. Mazar Barnett verbally 1998). Its diet apparently includes frogs and it may feed only at night (del Hoyo et al. 1996). In Brazil, nests have been found in September and from November to early January; nests are generally placed on a small hillock between swamps, and 2-4 eggs are laid (del Hoyo et al. 1996). The movements of this species are very poorly understood, and it appears to arrive seasonally at some sites, apparently after rain (del Hoyo et al. 1996).
Some indications suggest potential declines in localised areas within its extensive range due to hunting (Van Gils et al. 2020) but no information on potential threats is available.
Text account compilers
Berryman, A., Ekstrom, J., Chad, E., Butchart, S., Harding, M.
Contributors
Mazar Barnett, J.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Giant Snipe Gallinago undulata. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/giant-snipe-gallinago-undulata on 18/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 18/12/2024.