Greater painted-snipe

The greater painted-snipe (Rostratula benghalensis) is a species of wader in the small painted-snipe family Rostratulidae. It widely distributed across Africa and southern Asia and is found in a variety of wetland habitats, including swamps and the edges of larger water bodies such as lakes and rivers. This species is sexually dimorphic with the female being larger and more brightly coloured than the male. The female is normally polyandrous with the males incubating the eggs and caring for the young.

The greater painted-snipe is a medium-sized shorebird with an overall length of 23–28 cm (9.1–11.0 in). The species is sexually dimorphic: females are larger, heavier, and have bolder plumage than males. The female has a black head with a buff stripe and a white eye-patch. The neck is dark rufous. The upperparts are mostly dark bronze-green finely barred with black. A white stripe curves around the shoulder mantle. The underbody is white. The male is much paler and less uniform with barring on the scapulars and wing-coverts. The juvenile resembles the male but lacks the darker band around the chest.

It is not a vocal species; apart from the breeding season, it is mostly silent. The female may make a "mellow hooting or booming" sound.