Identification and novelties of the winter distribution of Magellanic Snipe (Gallinago magellanica)

Abstract

One of the biggest challenges in understanding the winter distribution of the Magellanic Snipe (Gallinago magellanica), which has recently been recognized as a distinct species, is the difficulty in identifying and distinguishing from the South American Snipe (Gallinago paraguaiae). Both species are extremely similar, although they have slight differences in several features. In this work we present an analysis of the field marks present in different field guides, to determine the most relevant ones for identifying both species. To achieve this, we reviewed skins of Magellanic Snipe and South American Snipe deposited in museum collections, performed plumage and morphometry analyzes of the specimens, and we presented field observations and photographs of the Magellanic Snipe in summer in Santa Cruz, and of the South American Snipe in different regions of Argentina. To analyze the winter distribution of the Magellanic Snipe and clarify its seasonal movements, we reviewed the citations of the species related to its winter distribution, re-identified skin samples from museum collections, analyzed photographs of specimens of both species in winter season recorded on Citizen Science platforms, and present our personal observations of the species in the south of Entre Ríos province, being this the first record of the species for the province. We believe that this work provide information for the identification of the Magellanic Snipe which will aid in its recognition in areas where its distribution overlaps with the South American Snipe, and help improve our knowledge of its winter movements.