Auckland snipe

Auckland snipe

Auckland island snipe

SUBSPECIES OF

Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Family
Genus
SPECIES
Coenocorypha aucklandica aucklandica

The Auckland Island snipe (Coenocorypha aucklandica aucklandica ) is a small bird in the sandpiper family. It is the isolated nominate subspecies of the subantarctic snipe that is endemic to the Auckland Islands, a subantarctic island group south of New Zealand in the Southern Ocean.

Appearance

The subspecies is generally similar to others in the genus, being a small, brown, cryptically patterned snipe with a long bill, short neck, tail and legs, and short, rounded wings. Females are slightly larger than males, weighing about 107 g compared with the males’ 82–94 g.

Distribution

Geography

Countries
Biogeographical realms

The snipe is endemic to the Auckland Islands, which has a total surface area of 625 km2. However, it is no longer present on main Auckland Island, but only on 100 km2 Adams Island, Enderby Island, and the much smaller Disappointment, Ewing, Figure of Eight, Rose, Ocean and Dundas Islands. It inhabits the islands’ tussock grasslands, Olearia forest, shrubland and herbfields.

Mating Habits

Breeding is seasonal, with a records of egg-laying from late September to early November with chicks present in November–December. The typical clutch size is two. “Hakawai” aerial displays have been recorded.

Population

Population number

The population of the snipe is estimated at 20,000 birds. It has been classified as a range-restricted island endemic with a stable population.

References

1. Auckland snipe Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auckland_snipe
2. Auckland snipe on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22727499/94950981

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