In my previous post, I talked about species naming conventions, and I’d like to continue that thread here.
The common snipe (Gallinago gallinago, Irish: Naoscach) received its English name a very long time ago – and, sadly, it shows. Today, this remarkable bird’s breeding population is declining, and it is now Red-listed as a species of conservation concern in Ireland. Naming a species “common” reflects the once-naive assumption that its numbers would always remain stable. As we now know, that is rarely the case.
The bird’s scientific name, Gallinago gallinago, translates to “resembling a small hen" or "hen-like” – a name that guarantees a longer relevance.
The (un)common snipe is one of Ireland’s most fascinating wetland birds – a secretive wader of bogs, marshes, and damp meadows. With its beautifully patterned brown plumage, long straight bill, and sudden zig-zag flight, it can be difficult to spot until it bursts from cover. Known for the haunting “drumming” sound its tail feathers make during courtship displays, the snipe is an iconic bird of Ireland’s wild wetlands.
Hopefully, it never disappears altogether – because there would be something deeply ironic about losing a species we once considered so “common.”
🎨 This artwork is part of a large commission I’ve been working on this month.