American Woodcock

Scolopax minor

The American Woodcock is a plump, short-legged shorebird with a long, straight bill. It is known for its distinctive mating display, which involves spiraling into the air and making a series of nasal peenting sounds. This bird is primarily found in young, dense forests and brushy fields, where it probes the soil for earthworms and insects with its sensitive bill. The American Woodcock is well-camouflaged, with mottled brown and gray plumage that helps it blend into its woodland habitat. It is a migratory bird, breeding in the eastern United States and wintering in the southeastern United States. Despite its widespread distribution, habitat loss and degradation pose threats to its populations.

Habitat: Young, dense forests and brushy fields