Even when the Jack Snipe was out in the open and we knew roughly where it was, it was still surprisingly difficult to pick out. This photo really shows why. The mix of yellows, golds, browns and blacks in its plumage mirrors the colours of wet mud, dead grass and vegetation perfectly.
It’s easy to see how a bird like this can remain completely invisible in a tussocky meadow. Even in relatively open ground, your eye just slides past it unless the bird moves. That incredible camouflage is exactly why most encounters with Jack Snipe happen when one suddenly bursts from under your feet.
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