Gallinago delicata: Wilson's Snipe

The Wilson's Snipe (Gallinago delicata), a shorebird that lives in marshes and bogs, lives around here year-round, though I have yet to seen one. They sink their bills into mud and water and feel around for food.

Take a look at the placement of the eye. I screw up lots when I'm drawing, but the odd placement of the snipe's eye, that's for real.


Interesting factoid (from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology): "The long bill of the Wilson's Snipe is flexible. The tips can be opened and closed with no movement at the base of the bill. Sensory pits at the tip of the bill allow the snipe to feel its prey deep in the mud."

A bird with "fish lips"... Cool!

Doodled from a photo on Wikipedia.