The greater painted-snipe is a medium-sized shorebird with an overall length of 23–28 cm (9.1–11.0 in). [8] The species is sexually dimorphic : females are larger, heavier, and have bolder plumage than males.

The female has a bright reddish-brown head and greenish-tinged back and wings; the more cryptically colored male has a light brown head and brown upperparts dappled with orange and tan spots, thus more similar to snipe.

Mar 13, 2024 · Painted-Snipes exhibit reversed sexual dimorphism, with females displaying more vivid and colorful plumage than males. This characteristic is uncommon among bird species and contributes to their distinctiveness.

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.

During the mating season, it is the female that displays brighter and more colorful plumage compared to the male, a phenomenon known as sexual dichromatism. This reversal of plumage brightness challenges traditional notions of avian sexual dimorphism and adds an interesting dimension to the species’ reproductive biology.

The Greater Painted-Snipe is polyandrous: the females fight each other for territory and court the males; they will mate with several males in succession, usually laying three to five eggs from each mating.

May 17, 2025 · Female has blackish crown, dark maroon-chestnut head, neck and upper breast, blackish breast band, white belly and white band around shoulder. Plumage of male is somewhat paler with greyish brown head-sides, neck, upper breast and …

The Greater Painted-snipe often has polyandrous mating system, but it also may be monogamous when densities are low. The females can mate with 2, 3 or 4 males every year. The female leaves the male after the laying, to mate with another one while the previous male performs all …

Male distinguished from true snipes by pale breast harness and white eye-patch. Slow flight similar to rails but pale wing spots distinctive. Female more brightly coloured than male; dark chestnut neck and breast diagnostic. Juvenile: Similar to adult male. Classified as …

The female greater painted snipe has a reddish brown head and neck with a bronze-green back and wings. The male has a gray head and back spotted with gold. Both males and females have white eye patches and a white stripe on the top of the head. Young greater painted snipes resemble adult males.