The Wilson’s snipe is considered a species of Least Concern according to the IUCN Red List, although the populations took a hit while market hunting was popular in the 19th century, in combination with loss of habitat as settlements spread, as recognized by the Audubon Society. This species has unique features that help it locate food along shorelines, often with low vegetation.
Fast, Feathery, and Fascinating: The Wilson’s Snipe
Olivia Triltsch • November 6, 2025
As waterfowl and small game hunters pursue their targets, some may come across a Wilson’s snipe. This is considered a game species in Michigan that can be a challenge for some to identify and target.
Current Status
Conservation Efforts
Since this is a species of least concern, the Wilson’s snipe is considered a game bird in Michigan with a season lasting from September 1 to November 9 for the 2025 season. Season limits and bag limits are an effort to control how many individuals are removed from the population each year to prevent population decline. However, this bird is challenging not only for its camouflage, but also due to its erratic zig-zag flying pattern. This is a migrating bird species that typically breeds in the Northern US and Canada, moving south to the Southern US and Mexico for the winter. Typically, the male and female pair separate the young and care for them as individuals instead of staying together to breed for another season.
Characteristics
The Wilson’s snipe can be confused with the woodcock to the untrained eye due to similarities in the feather coloration and beak shape. This snipe can be identified by the brown and black bars between lighter feathers and a white underbelly, according to All About Birds. The head has brown stripes transitioning into three streaks down the back. Where the snipe is a shorebird, often found along shorelines looking for food, the woodcock is primarily present in forest settings with streams nearby. The unusual beak of this bird is straight like a pencil and much longer than the head, whereas that of the woodcock is slightly shorter and thicker with less of a neck. Both birds have short tails similar to those of a duck. Wilson’s snipe can reach up to 12 inches in length with a wing span of up to 17 inches when flying.
Another species that looks similar to Wilson’s snipe is the long-billed dowitcher, which has longer legs, no stripe coloration down the back, and a slightly darker underbelly, which can be rusty brown in color in juveniles. This species is known to migrate through Michigan according to All About Birds.
Get Involved
More information regarding hunting regulations and licenses needed for Wilson’s Snipe and other game birds during the waterfowl season can be found in the Michigan DNR regulations summary. Information on woodcock hunting and license regulations can be found in the Michigan DNR small game summary. If you are looking to get involved working to conserve habitat for wildlife, consider joining Michigan United Conservation Clubs and our fight to conserve, protect, and enhance Michigan's natural resources and outdoor heritage. Other options to help conserve Michigan include making donations or volunteering for wildlife habitat improvement. Our award winning On the Ground program is looking for passionate volunteers to enhance wildlife habitat across the state, if you are interested in getting involved or learning more about the program, visit our habitat website.
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November 2025 NRC Preview
Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) is proud to announce a new partnership with the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) to bring the Certified Wildlife Habitat ™ program to communities across Michigan. This collaboration connects MUCC’s long-standing commitment to conservation with NWF’s national effort to create, restore, and certify habitats that provide food, water, cover, and places to raise young. Together, the organizations aim to inspire individuals, schools, and communities to take action in their own backyards to support native species. Through this initiative, MUCC will help expand awareness of the Certified Wildlife Habitat program, integrate it into its volunteer network, and provide resources to landowners interested in enhancing habitat on their property. One of the greatest benefits for volunteers comes from the knowledge gained in understanding wildlife habitat enhancement, allowing for the application to private land habitat enhancement. In addition to this, much of the work we do for habitat can apply to a variety of species, from rabbits to wood ducks, even birds of prey. The partnership will also promote community engagement opportunities through educational events, workshops, and collaborative restoration projects. In coordination with efforts like the certified wildlife habitat, MUCC hopes to expand conservation efforts across Michigan. Our award-winning, statewide volunteer habitat program, On the Ground (OTG), works to conserve, protect, and enhance wildlife habitat. In 2025 alone, OTG worked with 739 volunteers across 27 habitat projects, from invasive species removal to river clean-ups. Through the hard work contributing over 2,900 volunteer hours, habitat stewards were able to improve 423 acres of land for wildlife conservation in Michigan. Although OTG projects are not active year-round, we encourage Michigan residents to continue land stewardship on both public and private lands. To qualify for certification through the Certified Wildlife Habitat program, a property must include: Three natural food sources One water source Two places for shelter Two places to raise young Two sustainable practices To determine if your habitat qualifies, visit the NWF website and take the habitat quiz or download the checklist. If your habitat needs native plants, check out Garden for Wildlife to find species native to your area. The $25 application fee includes a personalized paper certificate, a 1-year NWF membership, and the option to purchase lawn plaques and garden flags. Habitats located on school grounds do not have a fee to get certified, so check to see what you might need to qualify today. If you are interested in joining our On the Ground program for the 2026 season, stay connected through our Facebook , Instagram , and OTG webpage for upcoming events.
In 2025, the On the Ground program conducted 8 junior projects with schools involving 316 students from across the state. From tree plantings to invasive species removal, these students worked to enhance 39.3 acres of public land after contributing over 200 volunteer hours. Visit our website to learn more information about our On the Ground program and On the Ground Junior . To wrap up the 2025 field season, the On the Ground program worked with two classrooms to enhance wildlife habitat and recreational access. Junior programs like these allow teachers to get their students out of the classroom and into hands-on learning about the importance of habitat work while meeting individuals in the field.