American Woodcock of Flower Hill Farm

I have no images of the American Woodcock to share but will add a drawing one day.  Here is a link until then. This cousin to sandpipers is both a coastal and forest dwelling bird. The delightful mud dapper is a harbinger of spring and begins and closes each spring day with a startling courtship sky dance and song. Perfectly marked to be camouflaged on the forest floor, he wobbles about dipping his long bill into the earth. And might be lucky to pluck an earth worm from it’s nap.  Just now as I write, it is quite amazing to still hear the plump almond-shaped bird peenting and to admire his wing-song high above the calls and songs of the Hermit thrush and Veery. The burly timberdoodle takes off from the ground and flies up diagonally above the tree tops.  It is a challenge to keep him in sight as he proceeds to fly in a figure eight shape while his wings make bewitching melodic peeps.  When satisfied with his performance, he dives back down to the ground and begins to call out in his unique nasal peenting way. I have never known a male to continue his courtship display for this long into May. I suppose the females are not quite interested as yet. 

 

Family ~  American Woodcock – Scolopacidae