Seedsnipe

Taxobox
name = Seedsnipe
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Charadriiformes
familia = Thinocoridae
familia_authority = Gray, 1845
subdivision_ranks = Genera
subdivision = "Attagis"
"Thinocorus"

The seedsnipes are a family, Thinocoridae, of small gregarious waders which have adapted to a herbivorous diet. The family is divided into two genera, "Attagis" and "Thinocorus", each containing two species. The family has a South American distribution, in the Andean and Patagonian regions. The relationships with other families within the order Charadriiformes are uncertain, it has been suggested that the Plains Wanderer of Australia, the jacanas and the painted snipes are their closest relatives. [van Tuinen, Marcel; Waterhouse, David & Dyke, Gareth J. (2004): Avian molecular systematics on the rebound: a fresh look at modern shorebird phylogenetic relationships. "Journal of Avian Biology" 35(3): 191-194.] The Plains Wanderer in particular has a similar feeding ecology, although differs markedly in breeding biology. The family's common name is misleading, as they do not resemble true snipe, having short bills on small heads, and seeds do not form a major part of the diet.Fjeldså, J. (1996) "Family Thinocoridae (Seedsnipes)" "in" del Hoyo, J.; Elliot, A. & Sargatal, J. (editors). (1996). "Handbook of the Birds of the World." Volume 3: Hoatzin to Auks. Lynx Edicions. ISBN 8487334202 ]

They resemble grouse, quail and sandgrouse, only with long wings. The seedsnipes in the genus "Thinocorus" are smaller, ranging in size from a sparrow to a snipe, whereas the genus "Attagis" are larger, the size of a ptarmigan. They have short legs (but long toes) and tails. The colour of their plumage is generally cryptic. There is some sexual dimorphism in the plumage of the "Thinocorus" species, the males have grey faces, necks and breasts.

Seedsnipes inhabit a variety of harsh environments, including grasslands, grass steppes, semi-arid deserts and alpine habitats. The Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe ranges as far up as to the snowline (5500 m).

Their 2–3 eggs are laid in a shallow scrape on the ground.

Species

* Genus "Attagis"
** Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe "Attagis gayi"
** White-bellied Seedsnipe "Attagis malouinus"
* Genus "Thinocorus"
** Grey-breasted Seedsnipe "Thinocorus orbignyanus"
** Least Seedsnipe "Thinocorus rumicivorus"

References