Young Wilson’s Snipe Chick Beats The Odds

The following story about a Wilson’s snipe chick was shared with us by American Heritage Wildlife Foundation in Idaho.

On August 1, 2022, our small, nonprofit wildlife rehabilitation center accepted a single, 10 gm (about 0.35 ounces) common snipe chick, also known as a Wilson’s snipe.

I understand the difficult nature of precocial chicks and the reality of this being a hatchling. The odds of survival were not great, but the effort had to be attempted.

Thankfully due to using the EmerAid IC Carnivore as a primary means to sustain this little fluffball, and having wonderful volunteers, we were able to successfully rehabilitate this unique species.

This data and assorted photos have been submitted to the Tufts University bird database.

4 August = 12.9 grams (about 0.45 ounces)
8 August = 19.1 grams
10 August = 23.5 grams
Observed beak not quite 1 inch and height approximately 4 inches.

14 August = 40.4 grams (about 1.4 ounces)
15 August = 45.7 grams
15 August = 53.1 grams
Observed beak 1 inch and 2/16ths and height at 5 inches.

17 August = 56.8 grams (about 2 ounces)
18 August = 58.1 grams
21 August = 63.6 grams
22 August = 65.3 grams
24 August = 70.4 grams
25 August = 75.5 grams
Observed down feathering mostly all gone. Body at 3 inches and height nearly 6 inches upright with full
stretch of neck.

27 August = tail feathers coming in
30 August = wings fully developed
31 August = 81.9 grams (about 2.9 ounces)
Observed a half circle flight.

7 September = 85 grams
Height is 6 inches, and tail feathers are ½ inch

13 September = 87.7 grams (about 3.1 ounces)
Body length is 15 cm (about 5.9 inches)

After 44 days in care, the snipe was released in home territory.