Imperial Snipe illustration by Paul Greenfield from "The Birds of Ecuador" by Robert Ridgely and Paul Greenfield.

Imperial Snipe Gallinago imperialis

Niels Krabbe with an imperial snipe chick found near the campsite during the survey of the highlands of the Tapichalaca reserve.

Tapichalaca reserve at dawn. This photo was taken from the actual display site of the Imperial Snipe (at about 3000 metres). See a larger image. (Use your back button to return here.)

For almost a century the Imperial Snipe was one of the world's mystery birds as it was known only from two specimens, the source of which was uncertain. It was first 'discovered' in life in 1967 in the Andes of Peru, and was first found in Ecuador in 1990 by Niels Krabbe, high on Volcan Pichincha. Krabbe subsequently located the species at 12 other sites in Ecuador.

The Imperial Snipe lives in elfin forest at the treeline/paramo border at about 3000-3500 metres altitude in the tropical Andes of Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. It is very retiring in its behaviour, but is noted for its spectacular display flight just before dawn and at dusk, when it flies high in the sky and descends to perch on thick horizontal branches while emitting its strange calls.

The images below were taken in Ecuador at Tapichalaca reserve, owned and managed by WLT partner organisation Fundación Jocotoco.

A substantial population of imperial snipes was found at Tapichalaca during survey work in February 2003, by Niels Krabbe, and his assistant Joanne Heathcote. Despite thick mist, so often encountered in this habitat, the photos give a vivid impression of the environment in which the Imperial Snipe lives.

A female Imperial Snipe feigning injury at Cerro Tapichalaca. See the same bird near the ground. (Use your back button to return here.)

This special bird can also be encountered (at dawn or dusk) at one of Fundación Jocotoco's other reserves at Yanacocha on Volcan Pichincha near Quito, the capital of Ecuador.

Help Protect the Imperial Snipe and Other Birds in Ecuador

The Imperial Snipe is classified as near threatened by IUCN. (See IUCN Red List of Threatened Species for more information on the classification of this species.)

World Land Trust is working in Ecuador in partnership with Fundación Jocotoco to protect the Imperial Snipe and other birds, many of which are threatened. To support this important project, save an acre of forest in Ecuador today.