American woodcock
(𝑺𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒂𝒙 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒐𝒓)
Conservation Status: Least Concern (Population decreasing)

Facts: The American woodcock might be one of the most interesting birds that you can find on the refuge. Aside from its many interesting nicknames such as Timberdoodle, Labrador Twister and bog sucker, these small birds are unique in their physical appearance and behavior.

Well camouflaged in light brown, black, buff and gray-brown tones, this small bird spends most of its time hidden in the fields and on the forest floor. Their eyes are very large, and set back high on their heads, ears ahead of the eyes between the base of the bill and the eyes. If you were to catch a glimpse of these birds, what a treat it would be!

You might notice that they rock back and forth as they walk and forage. It is thought that the vibrations from this movement may prompt earthworms to move underground, allowing the woodcock to hear or feel them. They then use their very long bill to probe the ground for the worms and other insects.

From late October to early November, they begin their migration south for the winter. Flying only 50 feet above the ground, these birds travel at night, resting and feeding in the thickets during the day. Once winter is over, they fly back up north to their mating grounds in Southern Canada, Maine and the Great Lakes Regions. On spring nights the males perform a mating practice known as “sky dance” to attract their mates. They let out a buzzy peent call, followed by a gurgling tuko sound. They then launch themselves into the air, emitting a twittering flight sound that ends with the males diving back to the ground.

Fun Fact: The brain of the woodcock is unlike other birds. The cerebellum, which controls muscle coordination and body balance, is in a completely different place! In most birds the cerebellum is at the rear of the skull, but the cerebellum of the woodcock is below the rest of the brain, right above the spinal column! How did it end up there? One theory suggests that evolution of the woodcock facial positioning resulted in their brain being rearranged.

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Woodcock/id,https://ruffedgrousesociety.org/Woodcock-Facts/#.WqwcRpPwbUI