Breeding densities and migration periods of common snipe in Colorado

Common Snipe (Capella gallinago) occur seasonally throughout most of North America (Bent 1927). Despite their widespread occurrence, little is known about their breeding status and timing of migration outside of northern and southern localities. Knowledge of snipe in Colorado is limited with published records pertaining to distribution and seasonal occurrences (Anon. 1886, Bailey and Niedrach 1965, Niedrach and Rockwell 1939). Because of the paucity of data on this common wetland species in the central portion of its range, this investigation was initiated in late 1973. Primary objectives were to estimate densities of breeding snipe and timing of migration in representative habitat types in Colorado.