American Woodcock: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Shorebirds · day 6 of 7

Five facts

1. Its big eyes sit so high on its head that it can see all the way around it, 360°, and 180° from top to bottom.
2. A woodcock pushes its long bill into the soil, then opens just the tip underground to grab earthworms.
3. It sometimes walks slowly, rocking its body back and forth. One idea is that the rocking coaxes earthworms up toward the surface.
4. In spring, the male climbs 46 to 91 m into the sky, then zigzags down singing. Air rushing through his wing feathers makes a twitter.
5. The slowest flight speed ever measured for a bird, just 8 km/h, was clocked in an American woodcock.

The quiz

1. How wide is a woodcock's view from side to side?

• 90°
• 180°
• 120°
• 360° (correct)

Its eyes sit high on its head, giving it 360° of view around it.

2. What can a woodcock do with its bill while it is deep in the soil?

• Open and close just the tip (correct)
• Squirt water
• Make a humming sound
• Change its colour

It can open just the end of its upper bill while it is underground.

3. What might the woodcock's rocking walk help it do?

• Keep warm in the snow
• Bring earthworms closer to the surface (correct)
• Attract a mate from far away
• Shake off rain

One theory is that rocking coaxes earthworms closer to the surface.

4. What makes the twittering sound during the male's sky dance?

• His bill clapping
• His chicks calling
• Air rushing through his wing feathers (correct)
• His feet tapping

The twitter comes from air passing through his outer wing feathers.

5. What flight record does the American woodcock hold?

• Highest flight
• Slowest flight speed recorded for a bird (correct)
• Fastest dive
• Longest non-stop flight

One was clocked flying at just 8 km/h, the slowest ever recorded for a bird.

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