The greater painted-snipe (Rostratula benghalensis ) is a species of wader in the family Rostratulidae. It is found in marshes in Africa, South Asia and South-east Asia.
Medium-sized, plump wading bird. Long reddish-brown bill, slightly decurved at tip, and distinct white or pinkish eye patch. Rounded, buff-spotted wings and short tail. White of breast extends up around top of folded wing. The painted-snipe is not related to the true snipes and differs from them in habits, flight and appearance, being far more colorful and having longer legs than the snipes. It is unusual in that the female is larger and more brightly colored than the male, with the sides of the head, neck and throat a rich chestnut brown, and a distinct black band across the breast; the male is paler and greyer.
Greater painted-snipe are very widely distributed; in mainland Africa as well as Madagascar and the Seychelles; in India, and Southeast Asia. Within Africa, they are found in the Nile River Valley and in the non-rainforested areas of Sub-Saharan Africa. They are notably absent from the eastern portion of Somalia, from the desert areas of Namibia, and from parts of Botswana and South Africa. Despite their wide distribution, they are uncommon within their range. There are between 31,000 and 1,000,000 mature individuals alive, according to BirdLife International.
Although this species inhabits a variety of wetland habitats, it prefers muddy areas with available cover (i.e., vegetation). It is also found on the edges of lakes and rivers, provided there is cover nearby, and in marshes and around swamps. They are usually found close to the fringes of reed beds along shorelines of marshes, swamps, ponds and streams.
Greater painted-snipe usually live solitarily or in pairs, but sometimes are found in large groups. They are rather shy and retiring, skulking close to the vegetation so that they can retreat to cover if disturbed. When flushed, the birds like rails, with their legs dangling.
