American Woodcock
(Scolopax minor)
Conservation • Description • Habitat • Biology • Distribution • Taxonomy
Conservation Status |
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| IUCN Red List | LC - Least Concern |
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| NatureServe | N5B, N5N - Secure Breeding and Nonbreeding SNRB - Unranked Breeding |
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| Minnesota | not listed Species in Greatest Conservation Need |
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Description |
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There are three pale horizontal bars across the head and nape of neck. The back and underparts are orangish-buff, best seen as the bird is flying away. |
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Size |
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10″ to 12″ in length 18″ wingspan |
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Voice |
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Similar Species |
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Wilson’s Snipe (Gallinago delicata) crown and nape has pale longitudinal stripes, not horizontal bars. The back and underparts are white. The breast, sides, and flanks are white and heavily barred with black. It is found wet open wetlands, including bogs, fens, cattail marshes, and sedge meadows. |
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Habitat |
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Woodlands and thickets adjacent to grassy clearings |
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Biology |
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Migration |
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March to early May and early September to early November |
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Nesting |
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Food |
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Distribution |
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Occurrence |
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Uncommon to common migrant, uncommon breeder |
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Maps |
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The Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union All Seasons Species Occurrence Map |
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Taxonomy |
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| Class | Aves (birds) | ||
Order |
Charadriiformes (shorebirds and allies) | ||
Family |
Scolopacidae (sandpipers and allies) | ||
Genus |
Scolopax (Woodcocks) | ||
Synonyms |
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Philohela minor |
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Visitor Photos |
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Share your photo of this bird. |
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Mike Poeppe |
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Ann S |
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been seeing this bird around our property the last couple days. We live near woods and uphill from a river. It was feeding from ground when I spotted it. |
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Bill Reynolds |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos |
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Nest |
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Slideshows |
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| American Woodcock JMC Nature Photos |
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Visitor Videos |
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Share your video of this bird. |
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Other Videos |
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| American Woodcock (Scolopax minor) Joseph Morlan |
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About
Uploaded on May 21, 2007 Along the boardwalk, adjacent to Crane Creek State Park, we enjoyed watching this American Woodcock probe for worms. Canon PowerShot S3 IS |
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| American Woodcock, Cape May Pt., NJ Tom Reed |
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About
Uploaded on Jan 9, 2011 American Woodcock feeding along a street in Cape May Point, NJ the day after a snowstorm. January 9, 2011. |
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| American Woodcock (Scolopax minor) Catherine Carroll |
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About
Published on Apr 30, 2012 Magee Marsh, April 28, 2012. One of the most thrilling photo and video opportunities I have ever experienced. |
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| American Woodcock Dance APlaceCalledReturn |
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About
Uploaded on Nov 11, 2011 This American Woodcock was filmed in our yard. |
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| American Woodcock WIld Bird Video Productions |
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About
Uploaded on Apr 6, 2011 American woodcock in Maine. License at http://www.paya.com/videos/135209 |
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Visitor Sightings |
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Report a sighting of this bird. |
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| This button not working for you? Simply email us at info@MinnesotaSeasons.com. Be sure to include a location. |
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| Mike Poeppe 5/29/2023 |
Location: Houston County |
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| Ann S 4/10/2023 |
Location: Welch, MN been seeing this bird around our property the last couple days. We live near woods and uphill from a river. It was feeding from ground when I spotted it. |
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| Bill Reynolds 5/15/2004 |
Location: Pennington Co. |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings |
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