American Woodcock

28 cm (11") Fairly common in Eastern North America. Moist woodlands near open fields, thickets.

Body is plump; short neck and legs; upperparts mottled with a dead-leaf pattern; underparts buffy to bright rust; very long bill; large eyes set high in large head; broadly barred crown.

Nocturnal and seldom seen until flushed; explodes with whistling wings.

Song: nasal "peent"; twittering and whistling in elaborate aerial courtship displays.

Videos

Distribution Maps

American Woodcock winter distribution map

American Woodcock distribution map