Details and Dangers of Migration
The spring migration usually begins early in the season, as early as late February and ends by mid-April. The migratory activity of the woodcock tends to peak several days prior to a full moon. The bird nests from late March through early June and hatches its eggs from early April through mid-June. Adults undergo a complete feather molt during the summers, while juveniles have a partial molt between July and October. The birds nest on the ground and are vulnerable to predation. Fall migrations generally peak in late October.
It's been reported that the woodcock's flights rarely begin before dark but generally end before midnight (Marshfield News Herald; March 2005). We have already received reports of American Woodcocks that have been found injured on the ground in New York City.
Woodcocks are particularly at risk during migration because they fly at night and at low altitudes (as low as 50 feet). Individual birds that migrate early are also in danger of getting caught in late-season snows or other severe weather conditions.
If You Find an Injured Bird
Woodcocks are among the most difficult and fragile birds to capture and handle. A bird often takes off the instant it spots someone approaching, and often sustains further injuries as a result.
Any bird that has bled from its injuries needs medical care. However, some other life-threatening injuries are not easily detected. For instance, a bird's beak often sustains fractures that are difficult to detect but that could make it too painful or impossible for the bird to eat in the wild. All injured birds should be seen by a vet or a rehabilitator.
It's important to note that even birds that have been seriously injured can sometimes muster the energy to attempt an escape. Because the bird's beak is long and fragile, it is crucial to place the rescued bird in a closed paper bag immediately and to keep the bag closed until the bird is in rehab or about to be released.
If a bird has only been stunned, it should be set free at night in very large open areas away from buildings, cars, and lights. In Manhattan, the only suitable release sites are the middle of Central Park or Inwood Park.
For more detailed instructions on how to rescue an injured woodcock, please click here.
Physical Characteristics
American Woodcocks (scolopax minor) are plump shorebirds with long bills that are between 2 and 2 3/4" long. Measuring 10 to 12 inches in length, the bird stands about 5 inches tall, and has a 20-inch wingspread. This solitary bird has large eyes that are set well back and high on the sides of its head. Its ears are located in front of its eyes and its hearing is acute. The majority of its diet consists of earthworms (60 percent), while the balance is made up of insects (30 percent) and plant food (10 percent). Although classified as a shorebird, it is usually found in thickets and shrubs.
Range and Population Status
The woodcock's range extends from Southern Atlantic and Gulf Coast states through Southern Canada. The birds may be found year-round in some areas of the south, although winter and summer populations may be made up of different individuals. Along with the Common Snipe, it is one of only two shorebirds that can still be legally hunted in the United States. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages its population in two sections, Central and Eastern, and believes there is little crossover between the Atlantic and Mississippi flyways. In 2003, it was estimated that 235,000 birds were killed by hunters in the Central region, and close to 85,000 were killed by hunters in the Eastern region.
Both the Central and Eastern populations have been in long-term decline since 1968 . It is estimated the population is declining at a rate of two percent per year. The International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies has developed a Woodcock Task Force to examine conservation issues.
