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Only reliable way to differentiate between the two is by the shape of the outer tail feathers. In Pin-tailed Snipes, the outer eight pairs of tail feathers (sometimes six to nine pairs) are very thin (all less than 2mm wide) while in Swinhoe’s the outermost pair is narrowest (between 2 to 4mm), and subsequent tail feathers becoming increasingly broader towards the center. However, this feature is exceptionally difficult to observe in the field.

Abundance
Common

Chinese Name
针尾沙锥

Habitat
Wetland

Malay Name
Burung Berkek Berbintik

Tamil name
ஊசிவால் உள்ளான்