The Subantarctic snipe is a small wading bird with adults growing to about 23 cm (9 in) in length.

It has cryptic brown plumage, sturdy legs and a slender beak about 5 cm (2 in) long.

It favours areas of dense ground cover and feeds on a range of invertebrates.

It has a characteristic courtship display which takes place at night when males make vertical dives from considerable heights.

Nesting takes place at different dates between August and January on the different islands.