How to Spot an American Woodcock

By eHow Hobbies, Games & Toys Editor

Instructions

Step 1:
Look in forests, overgrown fields and shrubby areas. In the winter, you'll find this bird along the Gulf Coast, in Florida and in the southeastern United States. In the summer, look for this woodcock in the northern half of the eastern United States and in southern Canada.
Step 2:
Take note of the size. These medium-sized shorebirds range in size from 10- to 12-inches long, with females being slightly larger. They have a wingspan between 17 and 19 inches and weigh between 4 and 9.8 oz.
Step 3:
Observe the appearance. American Woodcocks are stocky with rounded heads and large eyes. They have buff colored underparts and brown, black and gray streaked upperparts. They also have black bars on their heads, rounded wings and a rounded tail. Their legs are short and brownish-gray.
Step 4:
Listen to the American Woodcock's call. Even though this bird is usually silent, the males make a "peent" sound during breeding displays. American Woodcock wings also make a twittering sound during flight and during courtship. You can hear the American Woodcock's call on the What Bird website (see Resources below).
Step 5:
Watch the bird in-flight. During courtship, you can see the male American Woodcock fly upwards in a spiraling motion. When disturbed, American Woodcocks fly in a rapid zigzag pattern.

Tips & Warnings

Female American Woodcocks and male American Woodcocks look similar.
Because of the American Woodcock's coloring and patterned body, it may be camouflaged and difficult to see.
Look for the American Woodcock at dawn or at dusk when it is most active. American Woodcocks also migrate during the night.

Resources

Listen to the call of the American Woodcock here.

More Puppy Pages

How to Identify Towhees

Instructions Step 1: Take note of the habitats of the Eastern Towhee and the Spotted Towhee. The Eastern Towhee lives in the eastern half of North America in scrubby habitats such as old fields, forest edges, residential areas and other places with an...

Instructions Step 1: Look for the Chimney Swift in its preferred habitat and range. During breeding season in the summer months, find the Chimney Swift throughout the eastern half of North America, east of the Rocky Mountains. In the winter, the Chimney...

Instructions Step 1: Look for the Willow Flycatcher in moist areas, such as thickets, marshes and swamps. The bird also lives in brushy areas and in pastures. You'll see it during the summer in southern Canada and throughout the central United States. In...

Instructions Step 1: Learn about the Northern Harrier's habitat and range. The Northern Harrier can be seen near grasslands, pastures, wetlands, marshes and prairies. They live throughout most of North America and in Eurasia in the summer. In the winter...

Instructions Step 1: Spot a Verdin in the southwestern United States from southern California to parts of central Texas and into central Mexico. The Verdin lives in the desert near areas of desert scrub and thorny vegetation. Step 2: Look at the small...