Eurasian Woodcock

Scolopax rusticola

A master of camouflage, this elusive wader skulks through forests worldwide, often spotted only when flushed from undergrowth.

Share this bird:

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Eurasian Woodcock is a plump, cryptically coloured wading bird with a long, straight bill. Its upperparts are mottled with shades of brown, rufous, and black, providing excellent camouflage in woodland environments.

Their large brown eyes are set far back on the sides of the head, which gives them an improved peripheral vision so they are able to sense the presence of nearby predators.

Both sexes are similar in appearance, although in females the tail is slightly shorter and the bill marginally longer. There are no significant seasonal plumage changes. Juveniles closely resemble adults but may have slightly narrower tail feathers.

Size

Length

33cm to 38cm

Wingspan

55cm to 65cm

Weight

225g to 400g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Brown Rufous

Secondary Colour

Black Grey Buff

Beak Colour

Brown

Leg Colour

Grey

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Eurasian Woodcock can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Eurasian Woodcock is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Eurasian Woodcock can be found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Eurasian Woodcock is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Eurasian Woodcock is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Eurasian Woodcock is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Eurasian Woodcock is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Eurasian Woodcock is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Eurasian Woodcock is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Eurasian Woodcock is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Eurasian Woodcock is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Eurasian Woodcock is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Eurasian Woodcocks inhabit damp woodland areas, preferring deciduous or mixed forests with a dense understory. They are widely distributed across Europe and Asia, from Ireland to Japan.

During winter, many birds migrate to milder regions, including southern Europe, North Africa, and southern Asia. In the UK, they are year-round residents, with numbers boosted by winter migrants from Scandinavia and Russia.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 2,000 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subarctic

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Eurasian Woodcock. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons