It breeds in northern Russia and migrates to spend the non-breeding season in southern Asia from Pakistan to Indonesia.

It is the most common migrant snipe in southern India, Sri Lanka and much of Southeast Asia.

Birds in their non-breeding range use a variety of wetlands, often with common snipe, but may be found also in drier habitats than their relative.

The wings are less pointed than common snipe, and lack the white trailing edge of that species.

Male pin-tailed snipes often display in a group, with a loud repetitive tcheka song which has a crescendo of fizzing and buzzing sounds, and also whistling noises produced in flight by the pin-like outer tail feathers which give this species its English name.