Timberdoodle (aka American Woodcock)
March 10, 2017American Woodcock
Scolopax minor
by Milan Bull, Senior Director of Science and Conservation
Few of the mating performances of our birds are more remarkable than the sky dance of the American Woodcock in early spring.
It all starts at that half-light just before darkness. The male begins on the ground with a formal “peent” that underscores the wild rush that follows.
After several “peents” he launches himself on whistling wings, sweeping out on the first loop of a spiral which may take him 300 feet from the ground. He builds speed as he goes, and louder and shriller sound his wings. Then suddenly with a darting, headlong flight, pitches back to the earth, his wings producing a strange, twittering whistle, landing nearly on the same spot from which he began. This performance is repeated well into the night.
This subtle, well-camouflaged bird is unique among shorebirds in that it has adapted to a woodland life. In the spring and summer it can be found haunting the low, wooded bottom-lands, while in migration it often resorts to wooded uplands, but never far from soft, moist earth where it probes at night with its long bill for its fare of earthworms, its primary and nearly exclusive diet.
The holes it makes on its nocturnal foraging are known as “borings” and are often found in little groups and are certain evidence of woodcock’s presence.
What it looks like: Woodcock are a medium-sized shorebird about the size of a Common Snipe, which they superficially resemble. Relying totally on their excellent camouflage, they are difficult to spot unless startled and flushed, or walking with their peculiar bobbing, rocking motion.
A plump, buffy bird with a long bill and a pale, buffy breast, the Woodcock has black and grey upper parts mottled with slatey buff. Its eyes are positioned well back on its head so it can watch for predators while probing the ground for earthworms
Where to find it: Woodcock frequent brushy wetlands often associated with alders or other moisture-loving shrubs where they discrete themselves during the daylight hours, venturing out into more open areas at night where earthworms are abundant.
At this time of the year (early spring), look for displaying Woodcock in grassy meadows with nearby woodlands just at the “witching hour” before dark. Some good spots include:
o The grassy areas on the west side of Silver Sands State Park in Milford.
o Deer Meadow at the Roy and Margot Larsen Sanctuary in Fairfield.
o The Smith-Richardson Tree Farm in Westport. A number of bird clubs offer spring Woodcock mating walks as well. Check www.ctbirding.org
Interesting facts (as if you need more): A group of Woodcocks is called a “fall” and several colloquial names include “timberdoodle,” “Labrador twister” and “bogsucker.”
Conservation status: Although the American Woodcock has been on a long-term population decline since the 1970’s, it is listed by the IUCN as Least Concern.
Photo by Paco Lyptic, Carolinabirds.org
