The Rostratulidae, commonly known as the painted-snipes, are a family of wading birds that consists of two genera: Rostratula and Nycticryphes.

Description

The painted-snipes are short-legged, long-billed birds similar in shape to the true snipes, but their plumage is much more striking. There is sexual dimorphism in both size and plumage, with the males being duller overall and smaller. All three species have large forward pointing eyes.

The species †Rostratula minator was described in 1988 from deposits of the early Pliocene found in Langebaanweg, South Africa. This is the first fossil attributed to the family Rostratulidae. Comparisons of bone measurements with R. minator and the extant species show that it was intermediate in size, although considerable differences indicate that it may only be an endemic African species that has become extinct, rather than a direct ancestor of R. benghalensis. Such a similarity between the two species can be explained by a recent evolutionary divergence, and is an example of allopatric speciation where the prevention of gene flow by geographical isolation has resulted in an accumulation of differences by genetic drift and differing selective pressures.

Taxonomy

Family Rostratulidae: painted-snipes

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|Rostratula

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  • Rostratula benghalensis, greater painted-snipe – Found in marshes in Africa, India and South-east Asia.
  • Rostratula australis, Australian painted-snipe – Rare, nomadic and declining species found only in Australia.

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|Nycticryphes

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  • Nycticryphes semicollaris, South American painted-snipe – Inhabits grassy marshland in southern South America.

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Behaviour

thumb|right|Rostratula benghalensis egg

All three species of painted-snipe generally inhabit reedy swamps and marshes, usually in lowlands. Outside of the breeding season painted-snipes are generally solitary in habits. Painted snipes are crepuscular or even slightly nocturnal in their habits.

References

  • Painted-snipe videos on the Internet Bird Collection
  • Painted-snipe
  • Vocal calls of painted snipe on Xeno-canto