The American Woodcock And Responsibility

Think about how this mother American Woodcock illustrates the characteristic of responsibility as you listen to the following story…

Have you ever seen an American Woodcock where you live Have you ever seen an American Woodcock where you live? If you live in the Eastern United States it’s very likely that woodcocks live very close to you.

What is unique about how the woodcock sees the world? Answer: It has what is called binocular vision, which is where both eyes overlap in their field of vision. The woodcock is unique in that its vision not only overlaps in front of it but also in the back as well. Needless to say, it is very difficult to sneak up on a woodcock. Question: What is unique about how the woodcock sees the world?

Woodcocks spend a great deal of feeding time probing the soil for their favorite food; the earthworm, or night crawlers. YUM!!

The woodcock has several unique features about it that make it very successful at detecting and capturing its favorite food.

Its Unique Bill #1 The woodcock has a “flexible upper mandible” that allows the top part of the tip of its beak to hinge open like tweezers. Talk about how this helps the woodcock (use references for this.)

The Unique Location of Its Ears #2 The Unique Location of Its Ears How do you think the location of the woodcocks ears would help it in hunting earthworms?

The Incredible Sensitivity of Its Feet #3 The Incredible Sensitivity of Its Feet

Woodcocks nest on the ground and must blend in very well to avoid predators.

Answer: Approximately two weeks. Question: After hatching from their eggs how long is it before baby woodcocks can fly? Answer: Approximately two weeks.

Whistling Wings

3 Outermost primary feathers are ‘whistling feathers’ What feathers on a woodcock whistle? ? 3 Outermost primary feathers are ‘whistling feathers’

What purposes do these ‘whistling wings’ serve? -The abrupt whistling of a woodcock’s wings at takeoff startle predators and allow the woodcock to escape. -Their whistling wings also serve a part in the flying ‘dance’ and courtship of the woodcocks.

Courtship Displays

Woodcocks will spend sometimes whole nights in the spring performing their courtship displays of flying and ‘singing’ with their wings.

Hopefully, all of us are learning to be as responsible with our lives as a mother woodcock is with her chicks.