Eurasian woodcock

Scolopax rusticola

The Eurasian woodcock (Scolopax rusticola) is a medium-small wading bird found in temperate and subarctic Eurasia.

Family: Scolopacidae Order: Charadriiformes Conservation: Least Concern

About the Eurasian woodcock

The Eurasian woodcock (Scolopax rusticola) is a medium-small wading bird found in temperate and subarctic Eurasia. It has cryptic camouflage to suit its woodland habitat, with reddish-brown upperparts and buff-coloured underparts. Its eyes are set far back on its head to give it 360-degree vision and it probes in the ground for food with its long, sensitive bill, making it vulnerable to cold weather when the ground remains frozen. The male performs a courtship flight known as "roding" at dusk in spring. It is widely believed that the female will sometimes carry chicks between her legs whilst flying, though evidence of this is purely anecdotal. The world population is estimated to be 14 million to 16 million birds.

Fun Facts About Eurasian woodcock

The world population is estimated to be 14 million to 16 million birds.
Its eyes are set far back on its head to give it 360-degree vision and it probes in the ground for food with its long, sensitive bill, making it vulnerable to cold weather when the ground remains frozen.
The male performs a courtship flight known as "roding" at dusk in spring.
It is widely believed that the female will sometimes carry chicks between her legs whilst flying, though evidence of this is purely anecdotal.
It has cryptic camouflage to suit its woodland habitat, with reddish-brown upperparts and buff-coloured underparts.

Conservation Status

The Eurasian woodcock is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. This species is currently stable and not at significant risk of population decline.

View on IUCN Red List →

Taxonomy & Classification

Order	Charadriiformes
Family	Scolopacidae
Genus	Scolopax
Species	Scolopax rusticola

Range & Habitat