Biology:Australian painted-snipe

From HandWiki
Short description: Species of bird

Australian painted-snipe
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Rostratulidae
Genus: Rostratula
Species:
R. australis
Binomial name
Rostratula australis
(Gould, 1838)

The Australian painted-snipe (Rostratula australis) is a medium-sized, long-billed, distinctively patterned wader.

Taxonomy

The distinctiveness of the Australian painted-snipe was recognised by John Gould in 1838 when he described and named it Rostratula australis.[2] However, it was subsequently lumped with the greater painted-snipe Rostratula benghalensis in 1934.[2] More recently it has been shown that the differences between these taxa warrant recognition at the species level. Compared with the greater painted-snipe, the Australian painted-snipe:

  • has a longer wing, shorter bill and shorter tarsus
  • has a chocolate brown, rather than rufous, head and neck in the female

Description

Distribution and habitat

Conservation

The species has declined drastically during the 20th century and is rare throughout its range. Causes of the decline are ascribed to wetland drainage, river management and salinisation, as well as grazing and trampling of wetlands by stock. As of 2022, the global population is estimated to be 270 – 410 mature individuals. Because of this very small population size, the species is listed as Endangered by the IUCN.[1] In Australia it is classified as being nationally threatened with a rating of Endangered as of May 2013.[3][4]

Behaviour

Diet

Breeding

File:Australian Painted-snipe fem.ogv

References

  • Marchant, S.; Higgins, P.J.; & Davies, J.N. (eds). (1994). Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Volume 2: Raptors to Lapwings. Oxford University Press: Melbourne. ISBN 0-19-553069-1
  • Oring, Lewis W.; Rogers, Danny; Oring, Kay E.; & Tzaros, Chris. (2004). Snipes in peril. Wingspan 14(4): 10–15.

Wikidata ☰ Q1270108 entry