Painted snipe
\n| Painted snipes |
\n Greater Painted Snipe \n |
\n |
\n| \n |
| Species |
\n\nRostralata benghalensis \nNycticryptes semicollaris \n |
\n
\n
Painted snipe are distinctive waders placed together in their own family Rostratulidae. They are short-legged, long-billed
birds similar in shape to the true snipes, but much more brightly coloured.
The female is brighter than the male and takes the lead in courtship. The male incubates the eggs, usually 4, in a nest on the ground or floating for about 20 days.
Both species live in reedy swamps, and their food is worms and other invertebrates found with their long bills.
The
Greater Painted Snipe (
Rostralata benghalensis) is found in marshes in
Africa,
India,
South-east Asia and
Australia.
The
Lesser Painted Snipe (
Nycticryptes semicollaris), inhabits grassy marshland in southern
South America.