About the American Woodcock
The American woodcock, sometimes colloquially referred to as the timberdoodle, mudbat, becasse, bogsucker, brush snipe, night partridge, or Labrador twister is a small shorebird species found primarily in the eastern half of North America. Woodcocks spend most of their time on the ground in brushy, young-forest habitats, where the birds' brown, black, and gray plumage provides excellent camouflage.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The American woodcock has a plump body, short legs, a large, rounded head, and a long, straight prehensile bill. Adults are 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm) long and weigh 5 to 8 ounces (140 to 230 g). Females are considerably larger than males. The bill is 2.5 to 2.8 inches (6.4 to 7.1 cm) long. Wingspans range from 16.5 to 18.9 inches (42 to 48 cm). The plumage is a cryptic mix of different shades of browns, grays, and black. The chest and sides vary from yellowish-white to rich tans. This mottled coloring provides camouflage against surrounding leaves and earth.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the American Woodcock sounds like
Where it lives
When to see it
Peak activity in May · a passage migrant species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Eurasian WoodcockScolopax rusticolaAdults are 33–38 cm (13–15 in) in length, including the 6–8 cm (2.4–3.1 in) long straight bill, and have a 55–65 cm (22–26 in) wingspan.
Bukidnon WoodcockScolopax bukidnonensisThe Bukidnon woodcock, or Philippine woodcock is a medium-sized wader.
Amami WoodcockScolopax miraThe Amami woodcock is a medium-sized wader.
Side by side: American Woodcock vs Eurasian Woodcock
Learn the American Woodcock for real
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