Eurasian Woodcock
Least ConcernScolopax rusticola
Visual Identification
Eurasian Woodcock
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
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
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
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Diet
Eurasian Woodcocks primarily feed on earthworms, which they drum the earth with their feet before extracting them from the soft soil using their long, sensitive bills.
They also consume various insects, including beetles and their larvae. Other common prey include spiders, caterpillars, fly larvae and small snails. In spring, some plant matter is eaten, especially seeds, fruit, peas, grains, roots and grasses.
Their nocturnal feeding habits and specialised bills make them well-adapted to foraging in damp, wooded areas.
Behaviour
Eurasian Woodcocks are primarily nocturnal, spending daylight hours resting in dense cover. They have a distinctive 'roding' flight display during the breeding season, where males fly slowly over treetops at dusk, making unique vocalisations.
When foraging, they probe the soil with their long bills, using sensitive tips to detect earthworms.
Vocalisation
Eurasian Woodcocks are generally silent, but males produce distinctive sounds during their breeding display flights. The 'roding' call consists of a series of deep, frog-like croaks followed by high-pitched whistles, often described as 'orr-orr-orr-psip'. Females may give a soft 'chip' call when disturbed from the nest.
A common call of a woodcock sounds almost like a frog croaking, accompanied by a higher pitched squeak. Woodcocks are also known for their owl-like flight, with whirring wingbeats that echo through their woodland habitats at night.
Nesting & Breeding
Breeding season for Eurasian Woodcocks typically begins in March and extends through July. Males perform elaborate aerial displays to attract females, flying in wide circles at dusk while making distinctive calls. Woodcock pairs only stay together for the briefest period, around three to four days.
Females construct simple nests on the ground, usually in a shallow depression lined with leaves and grass. They typically lay 4 eggs, which are pale buff with brown and grey markings.
Incubation lasts about 21-24 days and is carried out solely by the female. The chicks are precocial, leaving the nest shortly after hatching but remaining dependent on the female for several weeks.
Lifespan
The Eurasian Woodcock typically lives for 1 to 2 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 15.5 years.
Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While listed as Least Concern globally, Eurasian Woodcock populations are declining in some areas due to habitat loss and hunting pressure.
Conservation efforts focus on protecting breeding and wintering habitats, particularly in Western Europe, where the species faces the most significant threats.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Woodcocks at dawn or dusk in damp woodland clearings
- Listen for the distinctive 'roding' call during the breeding season
- Watch for their unique bobbing walk as they forage on the forest floor
- In the UK, participate in organised 'woodcock watches' during spring evenings
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Woodcock
Family:
ScolopacidaePredators
Main predators include foxes, birds of prey such as owls and goshawks, and occasionally domestic cats in areas close to human habitation.
Did You Know?
- Eurasian Woodcocks have eyes positioned high and far back on their heads, giving them 360-degree vision.
- Their brain has evolved to be positioned upside down to accommodate their large eyes and long bill.
- They can flex the tip of their upper mandible to grasp prey while the bill is closed.
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FAQs
Are Snipe and Woodcock the same?
Woodcocks are similar in appearance to snipes but the two species are found in different habitats, with woodcocks preferring woodlands and snipes mainly living and foraging in grasslands and moorlands.
It’s not impossible to distinguish between the two visually, as snipes are slightly smaller and slimmer birds, and have striped faces, while woodcocks are stockier and have a striped crown.
How many Woodcock are shot in the UK?
An estimated 160,000 woodcock are shot by recreational hunters as game birds each year. Shooting is only permitted during the open season, which runs from October 1 (September 1 in Scotland) until January 31.
Can you eat Woodcock?
Classed as a game bird, woodcock is indeed edible. Due to the reclusive nature of the species, they are a notoriously hard species to track down, so woodcock is considered a relatively rare find in a butcher’s shop.
Similar Birds
References
- 2 4
website: BirdLife International. 2019. Scolopax rusticola (amended version of 2016 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T22693052A155471018.
View source - 3
report, 2015: Wetlands International
- 1
website, 2010: Fransson et al., EURING list of longevity records for European birds
View source