Page 197 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

WADERS
Order Charadriiformes Family Scolopacidae Species Scolopax rusticola
Woodcock

bold black
bars on back
eyes set far of head
dead-leaf pattern back on head
on upperparts angular
broad head
wings
long,
straight,
thick-
based
bill
IN FLIGHT bill
angled
down
n extremely difficult
A bird to see because of
its cryptic coloration, the
Woodcock can usually be evenly
observed only at woodland barred pale
underside
edges at dusk in spring or
summer while “roding”.This is a
mysterious territorial or courtship display
at just over treetop height, involving fast quivering
of bowed wings with regular grunts and whistles.At other times,
it remains determinedly out of sight in thick vegetation on the FLIGHT: quite quick and direct; flies up with loud
woodland floor, or feeding in wet ditches or bogs at night. Only wing noise and dashes away in zigzag.
rarely, usually in severe weather, is it seen on the ground. If disturbed,
it gets up with a clatter and flies off quite low and fast, sometimes
turning back in a wide arc.
VOICE In display, diagnostic
sharp, high whistle and deep
throaty grunt, tsi-wip grr grrr,
tsi-wip grr grrr.
NESTING Slight hollow in
dead leaves, under brambles,
or other cover in woods; 4
eggs; 1 brood; March–August.
FEEDING Probes for worms,
beetles, and seeds in rich leaf EVENING FLIGHT DIFFICULT TO SPOT
mould, muddy ditches, and In summer, Woodcocks fly over regular circuits A Woodcock on its nest, or resting on the ground, is
streamsides. above woodland areas at dusk. exceedingly difficult to see even at very close range.
SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRENCE
Widespread except in Iceland and
smaller striped, not striped most of Spain and Portugal; many
barred, head head
move west and south in winter.
Breeds in woodland of all kinds
with soft, damp earth, bogs, and
much
longer ditches nearby; frequents similar
bill areas in winter in small numbers.
SNIPE GREAT SNIPE Seen in the UK
see p.196 see p.428 J F M A M JJ A S O N D
Length 33–38cm (13–15 in) Wingspan 55–65cm (22–26in) Weight 250–420g (9–15oz)
Social Family groups Lifespan Up to 10 years Status Vulnerable
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