A snipe refers to any of about 26 wading bird species belonging to three genera in the family Scolopacidae. These birds are distinguished by their very long, slender bills, eyes positioned high on their heads, and cryptic, camouflaging plumage. Snipe are found across a range of habitats: the Gallinago snipes have a nearly worldwide distribution, the Lymnocryptes snipes are confined to Asia and Europe, and the Coenocorypha snipes are native to the outlying islands of New Zealand. The four species of painted snipe, however, are not closely related to the typical snipes and belong to their own family, Rostratulidae.
In the world of fly tying, snipe feathers are valued for creating classic patterns such as the Snipe and Purple. Also known as the Dark Snipe, this North Country spider wet fly pattern is favored for small, dark stoneflies and midges. It is considered an excellent match for the Iron Blue Dun, a fly mentioned in historical texts by anglers from Yorkshire and Pennsylvania. The pattern features umbrella-shaped hackle fibers and a trim body, crafted using specific techniques.
Another notable pattern is the Black Snipe, a traditional soft hackle wet fly that uses a small feather from a snipe’s underwing, or occasionally a grizzle hen feather.
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