Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Scolopacidae
Genus: Coenocorypha
Species: C. aucklandica
Subspecies: C. a. meinertzhagenae
Trinomial name: Coenocorypha aucklandica meinertzhagenae
Synonyms: Gallinago tristrami, Coenocorypha meinertzhagenae
Common names: Antipodes Island snipe, Antipodes snipe,
The Antipodes Island snipe (Coenocorypha aucklandica meinertzhagenae) is an isolated subspecies of the Subantarctic snipe that is endemic to the Antipodes Islands, a subantarctic island group south of New Zealand in the Southern Ocean. The Antipodes Island snipe is similar to the nominate subspecies – the Auckland Island snipe – but differs in being darker above and with yellower underparts.
This snipe is endemic to the Antipodes group, which has a total surface area of 22 km2. It has been recorded not only from the main Antipodes Island but also from the much smaller Bollons, Archway and Inner Windward Islands. It inhabits the islands’ tussock grasslands and herbfields, nesting under tussocks and Polystichum vestitum shield ferns.
Breeding is seasonal, with egg-laying beginning in mid to late August. The typical clutch size is two. “Hakawai” aerial displays have been recorded.
They have been recorded as feeding on a variety of invertebrates, including annelids, amphipods, isopods, arachnids and insects.
The population of the snipe is estimated at 8,000 birds. It has been classified as a range-restricted island endemic with a stable population.
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