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The greater painted-snipe (''Rostratula benghalensis'') is a species of wader in the family
Rostratulidae 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 t ...
. It is found in marshes in Africa, South Asia and South-east Asia.


Description

Medium-sized, plump wading bird. Long reddish-brown bill, slightly decurved at tip, and distinct white or pinkish eye patch. Rounded, buff-spotted wings and short tail. White of breast extends up around top of folded wing. The painted-snipe is not related to the true snipes and differs from them in habits, flight and appearance, being far more colorful and having longer legs than the snipes. It is unusual in that the female is larger and more brightly colored than the male, with the sides of the head, neck and throat a rich chestnut brown, and a distinct black band across the breast; the male is paler and greyer.


Behaviour

Not a vocal species; the male at times utters a shrill trill, while the female makes a guttural ''ook'' sound as well as hissing noises during breeding displays. Usually found close to the fringes of reed beds along shorelines of marshes, swamps, ponds and streams. Solitary or in pairs, sometimes in groups of up to 12. Rather shy and retiring, skulking close to the vegetation so that it can retreat to cover if disturbed. When flushed, flies like a rail with legs dangling. Bobs hindquarters on landing and sometimes when walking. Probes for food in the mud. The female initiates courtship and may mate with more than one male. The male incubates the eggs and takes the parental care.


Food and feeding

They feed on insects, crustaceans, molluscs and seeds.


Reproduction

The females court the males, are polyandrous with males incubating and raising the young as predicted by
parental investment Parental investment, in evolutionary biology and evolutionary psychology, is any parental expenditure (e.g. time, energy, resources) that benefits offspring.Clutton-Brock, T.H. 1991. ''The Evolution of Parental Care''. Princeton, NJ: Princeton ...
theory. Chicks are buff coloured and have black stripes running along their length. Immature birds resemble the male but lack the broken dark band across the breast. Males are also known to carry the chicks to safety under the wings. The nest is usually a shallow scrape in soft ground, lined with plant material and situated among grass or reeds at the water's edge; sometimes a pad of vegetation or a nest of grass and weeds. The breeding season is between April and July.


Gallery

File:Rostratula benghalensis MHNT.jpg, Egg of '' Rostratula benghalensis '' File:Greater painted snipe Prasanna Mamidala.jpg, Female in flight –
Manjira Wildlife Sanctuary Manjira wildlife sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary and reservoir located in the Sangareddy district of Telangana State, India. Originally a crocodile sanctuary developed to protect the vulnerable species mugger crocodile, today it is home to more ...
, Telangana, India File:Greater Painted-snipe, Rostratula benghalensis - female (12366878013).jpg, Closer view of a female –
Kruger National Park Kruger National Park is a South African National Park and one of the largest game reserves in Africa. It covers an area of in the provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga in northeastern South Africa, and extends from north to south and from ea ...
, South Africa File:Painted snipe family.jpg, Male with chicks - Hong Kong, China


References


External links

* (Greater) Painted snipe
Species text in The Atlas of Southern African Birds
{{Taxonbar, from=Q31617
greater painted-snipe The greater painted-snipe (''Rostratula benghalensis'') is a species of wader in the family Rostratulidae. It is found in marshes in Africa, South Asia and South-east Asia. Description Medium-sized, plump wading bird. Long reddish-brown bill, s ...
Birds of Africa Birds of East Asia Birds of South Asia Birds of Southeast Asia Birds described in 1758 Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus