The scientific name of the Fuegian snipe commemorates the English geologist, ornithologist and systematist, Hugh Edwin Strickland.

Its upperparts, head and neck are streaked and patterned with dark brown and buff, and gold edges to the feathers form lines down its back, which are not as sharply defined as in most snipe species..

Compared with that species, Fuegian snipe is obviously larger, with a heavy woodcock-like flight on broad wings which lack a white trailing edge.

Little is known of its breeding biology, but it has a nocturnal aerial display, which involves flying high in circles, followed by a powerful stoop during which the bird makes a drumming sound, caused by vibrations of modified outer tail feathers.

The Fuegian snipe forages by pushing its long bill deep into the mud seeking insects and worms.