Justification This species is listed as Near Threatened because it is thought to be experiencing a moderately rapid population decline, owing primarily to habitat loss and degradation, as well as hunting pressure. Any evidence that the decline is more rapid may qualify the species for uplisting to a higher threat category.

Family/Sub-family Scolopacidae

Species name author (Latham, 1787)

Taxonomic source(s) AERC TAC (2003), Cramp and Simmons (1977-1994), Dowsett and Forbes-Watson (1993), Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)

Identification

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

500,000 - 1,050,000

unset

7,470,000 km²

No

Range & population Gallinago media breeds primarily in Russia, east to 95°E (150,000-250,000 males), with large numbers in Belarus (12,000-20,000 males) and Norway (10,000-20,000 mature individuals⁸). It also breeds in Poland, Finland, Sweden (1,800 lekking males⁷), Estonia (500-700 males²), Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine and Kazakhstan. The Scandinavian population probably numbers 13,000-25,000 mature individuals⁸. The total population is estimated at 500,000-1,050,000 individuals⁹. It should be noted that the estimation of effective breeding populations from numbers of lekking males is difficult as possibly only 50% of males obtain matings⁸. From early August, it migrates through central Asia, central and south-eastern Europe (notably Turkey and Cyprus) and Egypt, with birds gathering in wet high-plateau grasslands in Ethiopia¹. When these dry out in October, birds follow the rains south and west to Sudan, Chad, Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, South Africa, Angola and Namibia. Its range has contracted and numbers have declined since the late 19th century.

Important Bird Areas Click here to view map showing IBAs where species is recorded and triggers any of the IBA criteria.

Ecology: Behaviour This species is migratory⁵. It breeds from mid-May to early-July and nests solitarily, although it has a polygamous mating system⁵. Males form leks after sunset⁵ from May to July, each lek holding 5-30 males¹¹. The departure from the breeding grounds occurs from early-August onwards, with the species arriving on its wintering grounds just after the rainy season⁵. It is generally solitary on migration although groups of up to 10 have been recorded¹⁰. On the non-breeding grounds it is also predominantly solitary but sometimes occurs in small scattered flocks¹⁰. It usually forages singly or in small groups⁵. The return northward migration occurs on a broad front across Africa between March and April⁵. The southern breeding birds go directly to their breeding grounds, while the northern breeding birds probably use more southern roosting sites while waiting for the breeding areas to become available in early June. Habitat Breeding Nesting habitats include flood-plain and tussock meadows, natural fens with scattered bushes and peatlands up to 1,200 m¹ in lowland interior taiga and wooded tundra¹⁰. In the Scandinavian mountains it breeds along the tree line. It shows a preference for habitats rich in sub-surface invertebrates and medium density scrub cover for nesting, often in wide river valleys⁵. Although generally associated with moist to wet terrain, it is tolerant of wooded, and occasionally well-drained sites that adjoin bogs or marshes¹⁰. A considerable area of marshy ground may be essential for display purposes¹⁰. Many sites are fringed wth willow Salix, alder Alnus and Birch Betula growing as scrub or woodland, or burnt areas in course of regrowth¹⁰. It favours areas where the ground is covered with mosses, lichens and dead and decaying leaves¹¹. Juveniles are often found around springs in steppe, or even in wheatfields¹⁰. Non-breeding On migration it occurs in drier meadows but also on sedge marshes with G. gallinago. It gathers on wet high-plateau grasslands in Ethiopia¹ before these dry out in October, after which it follows the rains south and west⁵. During the winter it frequents wetland areas, including marshlands and short grass or sedges on lake edges or in flooded fields⁵. It is also found in drier habitats such as moorland, sand dunes¹¹, tracks in wooded areas, in plough furrows and occasionally at puddles on dirt roads or in old cultivation¹⁰. Diet Its diet consists predominantly of earthworms as well as gastropods, adult and larval terrestrial insects (beetles, tipulids), and the seeds of marsh plants⁵. Breeding site The nest is a shallow depression with a slight lining of grass or moss¹⁰. It is situated on the ground or on grassy tussocks in swamps¹¹. It is often completely concealed in thick vegetation⁵ but may be fairly exposed¹¹. .

Threats Rapid declines in the southern forest and forest-steppe zones of Russia and Ukraine are largely a result of the destruction and deterioration of nesting habitats. The main causes of habitat loss are conversion to intensive agriculture², wetland drainage and the submergence of river valleys during the creation of reservoirs. It is also hunted in eastern Europe and in its wintering range³. Habitat loss due to climate change may represent the most severe threat to the Scandinavian population^6,8.

Conservation measures underway CMS Appendix II. An international single species action plan was published in 2004⁶. National action plans for this species have been published for several countries, including Sweden, Estonia, Ukraine and Latvia⁶.

Conservation measures proposed Monitor population trends through regular coordinated surveys. Monitor rates of habitat loss and degradation. Increase the area of suitable habitat with protected status. Investigate the impact of climate change on the species and determine mitigation measures. Work with farmers and land managers to ensure the use of favourable land management. Initiate changes in agricultural practices through EU and national policies.

References Tucker and Heath (1994). 1. J. Ash in litt. (1999). 2. Kålås et al. (1997). 3. Kålås (2003). 4. Stroud et al. (2004). 5. del Hoyo et al. (1996). 6. R. Ekblom in litt. (2007). 7. Ekblom and Carlsson (2007). 8. J. A. Kålås in litt. (2007). 9. V. Morozov in litt. (2007). 10. Cramp and Simmons (1983). 11. Johnsgard (1981).

Further web sources of information

African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) International Action Plan 2004

Detailed species account from Birds in Europe: population estimates, trends and conservation status (BirdLife International 2004)

Fully detailed species accounts from the Threatened birds of Asia: the BirdLife International Red Data Book (BirdLife International 2001), together with new information collated since the publication of the Red Data Book

Text account compilers Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), David Capper (BirdLife International), Lucy Malpas (BirdLife International), Andrew O'Brien (BirdLife International), Charles Pilcher (International Council for Bird Preservation), John Pilgrim (BirdLife International), Joe Taylor (BirdLife International)

Contributors John S. Ash, S. Baha El Din, Robert Ekblom (Uppsala University), Philip Hall (Pro Natura International), John Atle Kålås (Norsk Institutt for Naturforskning), Vladimir Morozov (Zoological Museum, Moscow State University)

IUCN Red List evaluators Ian Burfield (BirdLife International - European Division), Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Rob Pople (BirdLife International - European Division), Joe Taylor (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Gallinago media. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 9/2/2010

This information is based upon, and updates, the information published in BirdLife International (2000) Threatened birds of the world. Barcelona and Cambridge, UK: Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, BirdLife International (2004) Threatened birds of the world 2004 CD-ROM and BirdLife International (2008) Threatened birds of the world 2008 CD-ROM. These sources provide the information for species accounts for the birds on the IUCN Red List.

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