American woodcock: description and habitat, diet and species status

The world of birds is striking in its diversity, the trills of songbirds surprise and improve mood, commercial species have long served as a source of food for humans. Even now, many of them are desirable trophies for hunters. Today, people are more interested in birds out of curiosity, a desire to learn more about their way of life. Today's conversation is about the habitats of the American woodcock and its habits.

Description of the American woodcock

There are several varieties of woodcocks. All of them have common features, are similar in appearance, but differ in habitat and size.This is a small bird with short legs and a rounded body, it is much smaller than other types of woodcocks. Such structural features are reflected in the gait of birds, it seems that they are rolling on the ground.

The length of the "American" is from 25 to 33 centimeters, the weight of the woodcock is about 200 grams. Females are larger than males, which weigh only 160-165 grams. The eyes, set high on the sides of the head, provide the bird with a circular view.

Thin beak, 6-7 centimeters long, is typical for all representatives of this family. The combination of different shades of gray and brown in the plumage and the dark stripes on the back characteristic of all woodcocks make them invisible to predators and hunters. That is why the American woodcock is a particularly valuable trophy.

Habitats

The American woodcock lives in North America, Canada, chooses the southern states for wintering, from Oklahoma to Florida, and is not found at all on the European and Asian continents.The bird nests in the northeastern part of the United States, in the central and eastern states of the country it can winter and breed chicks, but more often it moves to the south for the winter period, these birds are migratory birds.

What does it eat?

The basis of the diet is earthworms, so birds prefer places rich in humus to live. Woodcocks also feed on insects and their larvae (beetles, sawflies, centipedes, earwigs).

Important: in a day they can eat an amount of food equal to their weight. Diversify the meal with vegetable food: cereal seeds, young grass, berries.

Bird behavior

They fly low and slowly, are nocturnal, nest and spend most of their lives on the ground. Deciduous forests, forest edges, abandoned arable land with loose soil are chosen for habitation.

When looking for food, they move their paws and sway, from the side it seems that the birds are dancing on the ground. They create vibrations in the soil, forcing earthworms to get out. Ponds or puddles with rainwater are suitable for cleaning feathers. In spring and summer, birds live in deciduous forests, in autumn they move to places with young growth.

Features of reproduction

The flight to nesting sites begins in April, males arrive there a little earlier than females. The male lekking, attracting the female with a mating song. They do not take part in the care of the chicks and mate with several females during the season. Females independently build nests in clearings and forest edges. They choose places in the shade of trees and shrubs, making depressions in the soil and lining them with grass and leaves. The bird lays 4 eggs. Hatches them for 23-25 days.

After the chicks have hatched and dried out, the mother takes them away into the forest, under the protection of vegetation. She finds secluded places rich in food. 2 weeks after birth, the chicks already know how to fly, at 5-7 weeks they become adults.

Natural enemies

Birds are well camouflaged, but they are defenseless against humans and predators who are not averse to feasting on woodcocks:

• skunks;
• foxes;
• American caresses;
• feral cats.

Many birds die from natural disasters. Snow storms, thunderstorms, return frosts reduce the population. Males, returning from wintering earlier than females, especially suffer from this. Man is changing the environment, leaving birds without natural habitats. Until the 1930s, birds were actively hunted.

Population and status

Today the American woodcock is under state protection.Hunting for birds is prohibited, the population is counted, their habitats are preserved, old trees are partially cut down to rejuvenate the deciduous forest, edges are preserved to provide nesting places for birds.

The American Woodcock is part of a unique ecosystem that is being preserved, because the diversity of bird, animal and other inhabitants of the Earth is important not only for humans, but for the entire planet.

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