American Woodcock
Family:
Scolopacidae (sandpipers) in the order Charadriiformes
Description:
Woodcocks have an extremely long bill; round, plump body; short tail and legs; and large black eye located high on the head. The back is dark, mottled with cinnamon and gray, and the underparts are buffy. They are most commonly seen at dusk in spring when the male performs a high, upward-circling, twittering flight culminating in a precipitous long fall while his feathers make a gurgling sound. Back on the ground, the male repeats a raspy loud “peent” call several seconds apart.
Size:
Length: 11 inches (tip of bill to tip of tail).
Habitat and conservation:
Although they are shorebirds by lineage, American woodcocks live in open forests, young woodlands near water, moist pastures and forested floodplains. In summer they are probably most common as residents in the eastern part of the state. This species might be decreasing on the continent as their preferred habitat grows into mature forest.
Foods:
American woodcocks forage for earthworms in young woodlands near water, in moist pastures and forested floodplains. The tip of the long bill is flexible, and the bird uses it to probe soft ground for its prey.
Distribution in Missouri:
Statewide as a migrant; resident in summer probably only in forested regions of the Mississippi Lowlands. Nests in appropriate habitat statewide in low density.
Status:
Common migrant; uncommon summer resident (mainly in Bootheel).
Life cycle:
American woodcocks migrate north in the spring and south in the fall. They are crepuscular (most active at dawn and dusk). Once they have arrived at their breeding range, the males engage in elaborate courtship rituals, sometimes continuing the behavior for months. Nests are shallow depressions on the ground in open woods. There are 1-12 eggs per clutch. The young are downy and able to run around soon after hatching but require feeding by the mother for the first week.
Human connections:
The “timberdoodle” is a well-known game bird but is also greatly appreciated for its elaborate, ritualized, high-flying “peenting” courtship displays.
Ecosystem connections:
American woodcocks eat earthworms and numerous ground-dwelling insects. As ground-nesters, woodcocks and particularly their nests and young provide food for numerous predator species. MDC's Mission, Vision, Priorities
MDC protects and manages Missouri's fish, forest, and wildlife resources.
We also facilitate your participation in resource-management activities, and we provide opportunities for you to use, enjoy and learn about nature.
Shortened URL
http://mdc.mo.gov/node/2821
