Concern for the conservation status of this species gave major impetus to the formation of the Japan Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (JAMBA) in 1974. The species is listed under both JAMBA and the China Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (CAMBA). A migratory shorebird, it breeds in Japan and migrates to Australia during the non-breeding season, the first birds arriving in August and departing in February. It is a cryptic species, roosting during the day and feeding at night on nearby wet grasslands on worms, aquatic larvae and seeds. It is thus rarely seen unless flushed, when it will take flight in a distinctive zig-zagging manner. It is a mottled black, brown and buff bird with a long bill, dark stripe through the eye and paler cheek stripe below. Once visiting the area in large numbers each summer, smaller numbers are now seen in Newington Nature Reserve, Bicentennial Park Wetlands, the Brickpit and Narawang Wetland.
Listen to the Latham's Snipe call (MP3)
The Latham's Snipe in nonbreeding plumage and habitat at Sydney Olympic Park
The Latham's Snipe in breeding plumage and habitat in Japan
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