Acoustic displays of the Fuegian Snipe ( Gallinago stricklandii ) and related species

Knowledge of species-specific sound displays of birds has many uses, ranging from identification in biodiversity surveys to resolving species relationships. We analyzed sound displays of the poorly known Fuegian Snipe (Gallinago stricklandii): aerial song consisting of calls plus tail sounds (winnows); aerial and ground trills (chips); and scaipe calls given by flushed birds in upflight and flight away. We also analyzed calls of an adult in the hand. Homologous sound displays occur in the closely related Jameson’s Snipe (G. jamesoni) and other “woodcock-snipe” species (Imperial Snipe, G. imperialis; Giant Snipe, G. undulata). Sound displays differ across species in qualities like harmonic structure, presence of broadband noise, and duration plus repetition rate of chip notes. However, some characteristics occur in all species, for example the presence of rhythmically repeated note couplets in song. The Fuegian Snipe has two types of chip call (slow and rapid), distinguished by repetition rate of notes. Larger samples are needed to determine if multiple chip classes occur in the other species and to document intraspecific display variation. Finally, good recordings of chip calls and the variable scaipe call are needed to detail occurrences and distribution of the Fuegian Snipe.