(Two flight pictures. Behaviour expanded. References) |
|||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
− | [[Image:Eurasian_Woodcock.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|IanF|IanF}}<br /> Harwood, Teesdale, Durham | + | [[Image:Eurasian_Woodcock.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|IanF|IanF}}<br /> Harwood, Teesdale, County Durham, [[UK]], June 2006]] |
;[[:Category:Scolopax|Scolopax]] rusticola | ;[[:Category:Scolopax|Scolopax]] rusticola | ||
Revision as of 08:25, 10 April 2013
- Scolopax rusticola
Identification
33–38cm.
- Red brown patterned above
- Buff below
- Black bars on head
- Iris on sides of head
- Flesh coloured base to bill with dark tip
- Grey-pink legs
- Males larger
Distribution
Locally in Eurasia. Formally casual vagrant to eastern United States. Only one 20th century record in New Jersey.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species[1].
Habitat
Moist woodlands and bogs.
Behaviour
Mainly crepuscular. Woodcocks are most often to be seen on summer evenings, just as the light is dying, performing their territorial 'roding' flight. Occasionally they may be flushed from woodland during the winter, when they fly off rapidly, twisting through the trees, rather like a gamebird. As darkness falls they will leave their day-time hiding place and fly to streams, ditches and boggy areas to feed.
Breeding
Ground nesters, in damp woodlands. The nest is well concealed in the undergrowth. Nesting begins in March when four eggs are laid; they vary from creamy-white to pale olive with grey or reddish-brown spots and splodges.There is normally a second clutch.
Vocalisation
<flashmp3>Scolopax rusticola (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2012. The eBird/Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to October 2012. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/downloadable-clements-checklist
- The Observer's Book of Birds' Eggs ISBN 0723200602
- Wikipedia
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Eurasian Woodcock. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 26 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Eurasian_Woodcock