American Woodcock
Bogsucker, Labrador twister, timber-doodle, big-eyes, blind snipe, brush snipe, swamp bat, mud bat,
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Scientific Name:
Scolopax minor Native
- Seasons and Regulations
- Licenses/Permits
Description
Plump, softball-sized bird with a very long, straight bill, large eyes, and short neck and legs. Coloring is warm, buffy-brown, black, and gray. Both sexes have the same coloration. Females are larger than males (10.6 to 12.2 inches vs. 9.8 to 11 inches).
Range and Habitat
Breeds from southeastern Canada to the Gulf states, with the majority of the population retreating to the southeastern United States during winter. In Louisiana, found in wooded habitats including wet thickets, moist woods, and brushy swamps during the day and fields and pastures at night.
Behavior
Primarily eats invertebrates, particularly earthworms, as well as snails, millipedes, beetles, and other insects, and some plants. Nests in early spring. Builds nest of leaves gathered in a depression on the ground. Typically lay 4 eggs, which are spotted with brown flecks. Young leave the nest almost immediately after hatching although females still care for and feed chicks. Chicks can independently search for food at 1 week old. Live up to 8 years. In Louisiana, mainly seen when flushed from the forest floor during the day or at twilight when flying between diurnal (daytime) and nocturnal (nighttime) habitat.
Population Status
Ranked as S1B, S5N (breeding population is critically imperiled, the nonbreeding population is secure) in Louisiana. The threat to population is loss of habitat.
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