The Rostratula australis (scientific name) or Australian painted-snipe is a uniquely patterned wader which is found in the wetlands with low dense vegetation in Australia. With a height of 9-11 inches, this bird has a chocolate brown head, neck and upper body, which changes to rufous at the back of the neck, and merges with the barred-black back plumage. The underparts, stripe on the shoulder and a comma-like shape near the eyes are all white. Its diet is comprised of invertebrates like worms and insects and also seeds and vegetation. The average clutch-size has 3-4 eggs incubated for 15-16 days in nests made in ground scrapes. Due to wetland drainage and other reasons, this bird has become extremely rare. Its IUCN listing is ENDANGERED.
Australian Painted-snipe
