• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Distribution map
• Reference and further resources

Justification of Red List category
This species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km² combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). The population size is extremely large, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). The population trend appears to be increasing, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.

Population justification
The population is estimated to number 2,000,000 mature individuals (Partners in Flight 2019). In the lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley in Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana (U.S.A.), non-breeding densities of c. 8 individuals/km² (95% CI: 4.57-14.17) were estimated in 2009 and c. 2 individuals/km² (95% CI: 1.47-3.08) in 2010 (Carroll and Krementz 2014). Based on these densities, the population in this area was estimated at c. 1,026,000 individuals in 2009 and at 272,000 in 2010 (Carroll and Krementz 2014).

Trend justification
The population was found to be stable over 1966-2017 (Pardieck et al. 2018, Partners in Flight 2019). Short-term trends suggest a slow but significant increase over the past ten years (Pardieck et al. 2018).

The species breeds in swamps, bogs and fens ranging from western Alaska eastward to Newfoundland (Tuck 1972, Arnold 1994). The population along the U.S. Pacific coast is resident, while populations elsewhere migrate to non-breeding grounds in southern U.S.A. and northern South America. Individuals begin departing the breeding grounds in late summer, with males preceding females by up to one month (Whitehead 1965, Tuck 1972). Spring migration peaks during late March, but may begin as early as late February or early March (Tuck 1972). The species forages in soft mud by probing for invertebrates and plant material (Tuck 1972). The species requires habitats composed of moist soils with an interspersion of soil and shallow water (Rundle 1981). It prefers habitats with short vegetation, including agricultural fields and pastures, but is less common on open mudflats or continuous areas of open water (Tuck 1972, Rundle 1981, Long & Ralph 2001). Lack of rainfall can decrease the habitat quality for the species (Arnold 1994). On the non-breeding grounds, factors like changing water levels across a region (e.g. coastal habitats, inland habitats), temperature, agricultural practices and other anthropogenic factors contribute to changing numbers at various locations (Robbins 1952, Carroll 2011).

The most severe threat to the species is the continuing loss and degradation of wetlands throughout the range (American Bird Conservancy 2018). Proposed changes to the Clean Water Act of the United States may lead to an increase of agriculture, mining and development in inland wetlands.

Conservation Actions Underway
Hunting of the species follows the guidelines of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Wetland protection and management are regulated through federal, state, provincial and local regulations throughout North America.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Protect suitable habitat within the range.

Text account compilers
Krementz, D., Carroll, J., Hermes, C.

Contributors
Gonçalves, D., Symes, A. & Taylor, J.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Wilson's Snipe Gallinago delicata. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/wilsons-snipe-gallinago-delicata on 17/12/2024.
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 17/12/2024.