Where can you find an American woodcock?
Look for American Woodcock in forests, forest edges, old fields, and wet meadows of eastern North America.
How far south do woodcock migrate?
During fall migration the average woodcock travels 870 miles between its breeding and wintering areas. The average distance they fly in a single night of migration is 160 miles, and they take between 25-30 days to do it, typically stopping 4 or 5 times along the way.
Where do American woodcocks go in winter?
Resident to short-distance migrant. Most populations migrate southward for winter, staying in North America. Some southern populations may stay in the same place year-round. Northern populations travel to and from the Gulf states following broad eastern and central flyways.
Where do woodcock migrate to?
Migration. Woodcock migrate back and forth between northern breeding areas and southern wintering grounds. In spring and summer, they breed in the North, from Atlantic Canada west to the Great Lakes area.
Is the American woodcock rare?
American Woodcock are a highly cryptic bird species and are rarely seen by people because they avoid harm by sitting down and remaining perfectly still, letting their camouflage do its work. However, this bird exhibits one of the most conspicuous breeding displays in the avian world — the “sky dance.
How fast do woodcocks fly?
16 to 28 miles per hour
Migration. Woodcock migrate at night. They fly at low altitudes, individually or in small, loose flocks. Flight speeds of migrating birds have been clocked at 16 to 28 miles per hour (26 to 45 kilometers per hour).
What is the best way to cook woodcock?
When the oven is good and hot, arrange the woodcock in the frying pan breast side up and use pieces of the celery stick to keep them from falling over. Lay a piece of bacon over the breast of each bird and cook in the oven for 6 minutes. Remove the bacon, and continue cooking the birds for another 9 to 11 minutes.
Where do Woodcock birds live in the US?
The bird’s primary breeding range takes in southern Canada, Maine and the Great Lakes region, dropping down as far as central West Virginia. The woodcock’s wintering range includes Virginia, North and South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas and Texas.
What is the average size of a woodcock?
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.
What time of year do Woodcock migrate?
Most woodcock start to migrate in October, with the major push from mid-October to early November. Most individuals arrive on the wintering range by mid-December. The birds head north again in February. Most have returned to the northern breeding range by mid-March to mid-April.
What is the taxonomic classification of a woodcock?
American Woodcock Identification, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology Species in This Family Sandpipers and Allies (Order: Charadriiformes, Family: Scolopacidae)