Snipe Taxonomy

I have called this a Common Snipe, based on Sibley and the Audubon Field Guide. Others have called it a Wilson's Snipe. My understanding is there is some question on the taxonomic distinction. Can anyone give me the history and current state of its correct name and what the observable differences are?

The current view is that birds in the U.S. are Wilson's Snipes, while birds in Europe are Common Snipes. Not that many years ago they were considered the same species and named Common Snipe everywhere.

See this post on Sibley's web site from 2009.

Common Snipe split into:
Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago
Wilson’s Snipe Gallinago delicata
Split by AOU 2002, formerly both Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago. These are now treated as two species

Thanks, Richard.

I failed to mention the differences - something to do with the tail feathers but I can't recall the details at the moment. Consider any bird in Florida or elsewhere in the Lower 48 to be Common Snipe.

Also, this is an excellent image, and I hope you will post it in the Avian Gallery soon.

Rich, I think you meant to say consider any bird in Florida or the Lower 48 to be Wilson's Snipe

Lovely image, Philip

Rich, I think you meant to say consider any bird in Florida or the Lower 48 to be Wilson's Snipe

Yes, I did mean that. Thanks for catching my error.