American Woodcock Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesAmerican Woodcock
Adult
Plump, short-legged and short-necked shorebird with a long, straight bill. Note cinnamon underparts and gray collar.
© Louis Brodeur / Macaulay LibraryQuebec, March 25, 2018Adult
On spring nights, males perform conspicuous displays, giving a buzzy peent call, and launching into the air.
© Samuel Paul Galick / Macaulay LibraryNew Jersey, February 22, 2013Adult
Stocky, short-necked shorebird with a long bill that blends in well with vegetation. Note gray stripes down back.
© Chris Wood / Macaulay LibraryNorth Carolina, December 30, 2010Adult
Chunky, short-legged shorebird of forests. Walks along the ground in a rocking pattern while probing for earthworms.
© Simon RB Thompson / Macaulay LibraryOhio, May 07, 2016Adult
Found in forests, forest edges, old fields, and wet meadows of eastern North America.
© Chao Jimmy Wu / Macaulay LibraryOhio, May 13, 2017Adult
Males deliver a buzzy "peent" call from the ground at dusk on early spring evenings.
© Simon Best / Macaulay LibraryMaryland, March 03, 2020Adult
Males perform courtship displays in old fields, while females typically nest in nearby shrubby deciduous forest.
© Jonathan Eckerson / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, March 23, 2016Similar SpeciesWilson's Snipe
Adult
Wilson's Snipes have longer legs than American Woodcocks. They also have barring on the flanks and a white belly, while American Woodcocks have clean flanks and a cinnamon belly.
© Jeff Timmons / Macaulay LibraryIndiana, April 19, 2017Similar SpeciesKilldeer
Adult
Killdeer have a very different shape from woodcock, with a short bill, slender body, upright posture, and longer legs. They have clean white underparts and 2 black bands across the breast.
© Davey Walters / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, May 27, 2016
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