How to Spot an American Woodcock

It's often hard to spot an American Woodcock because they appear camouflaged in their surroundings, and they are not very active during the daytime hours. You can identify these birds, however, if you know their characteristics.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Look in forests, overgrown fields and shrubby areas. In the winter, you'll find this bird along the Gulf Coast, in Florida and in the southeastern United States. In the summer, look for this woodcock in the northern half of the eastern United States and in southern Canada.

2. Take note of the size. These medium-sized shorebirds range in size from 10- to 12-inches long, with females being slightly larger. They have a wingspan between 17 and 19 inches and weigh between 4 and 9.8 oz.

3. Observe the appearance. American Woodcocks are stocky with rounded heads and large eyes. They have buff colored underparts and brown, black and gray streaked upperparts. They also have black bars on their heads, rounded wings and a rounded tail. Their legs are short and brownish-gray.

4. Listen to the American Woodcock's call. Even though this bird is usually silent, the males make a "peent" sound during breeding displays. American Woodcock wings also make a twittering sound during flight and during courtship. You can hear the American Woodcock's call on the What Bird website (see Resources below).

5. Watch the bird in-flight. During courtship, you can see the male American Woodcock fly upwards in a spiraling motion. When disturbed, American Woodcocks fly in a rapid zigzag pattern.

Tips & Warnings

• Female American Woodcocks and male American Woodcocks look similar.
• Because of the American Woodcock's coloring and patterned body, it may be camouflaged and difficult to see.
• Look for the American Woodcock at dawn or at dusk when it is most active. American Woodcocks also migrate during the night.

Resources

• Listen to the call of the American Woodcock here.