Specimen of the Month: American Woodcock

 By guest contributor and Summer Naturalist Intern, Sarah Montzka.

The Museum has prepared American Woodcock specimens for our 
collection using salvaged birds found by the public. We currently house two mounts!
This particular Woodcock will be on display during the month of July.

Described by the Audubon Society as “round-bodied, short-necked, short-legged, long-billed”, this specimen of the month is certainly a strange-looking bird with eye-catching features. Let’s dive into a few. 

The most noticeable characteristic of American Woodcocks is a toss-up between their strange eye placement and long bill. Believe it or not, that eye placement gives them a large advantage over predators and other birds. The American woodcock can see a full 360 degrees. This allows them to fully watch predators while foraging for their main prey item, worms.

The bill of an American woodcock is adapted perfectly to fit their special worm-based diet. The long, straw-like shape of the bill allows the woodcock to stick it deep into the earth below in search of earthworms and insects. The first third of the nearly 3-inch-long bill is where the most interesting adaptations are found. The tip of a woodcock’s bill is flexible, which allows them to move it independently. Full of nerve endings, the bill supports the bird in sensing the density and location of invertebrates within the soil. 

Outside of their strange body, the American woodcock displays several unique behaviors as well. The most common place you may expect to become acquainted with this special bird is on dirt roads in the darkness of night. While normally preferring to stay within the brush of their wetland homes, on spring and summer nights male woodcocks search for open areas where they attempt to woo their female counterparts. This desire for open land often leads male birds into the middle of the road and right in front of your car. Fortunately, in this case, these small birds are usually on high alert, meaning they should disappear in a flash of feathers and flapping wings when your vehicle gets close.

Photo by Christian Fernandez.

If you happen to see one of these birds before you’re too close for their comfort, it may be worth it to stop and take a peek. If a female approaches a waiting male bird, he will spring to life and perform their “sky dance.” This mating display involves the male bird flying straight up into the sky before flying in a zigzag pattern and landing in their original spot. You may also be able to glimpse the woodcock's special strut. Thought to help them attract worms, woodcocks walk while rocking their body back and forth and stomping their feet.

From their strange physical features to their expressive walk and mating displays, there are so many things to love about these unique creatures.