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Sound clips and movies require Adobe Flash player. Latin nameScolopax rusticola FamilySandpipers and allies (Scolopacidae) OverviewThe woodcock is a large bulky wading bird with short legs, and a very long straight tapering bill. It is largely nocturnal, spending most of the day in dense cover. Most of the birds in the UK are residents; in the autumn birds move to the UK from Finland and Russia to winter here. The breeding population has been falling recent years, perhaps because of less habitat as conifer plantations become too mature for woodcocks to find open enough breeding areas. Where to see themIt can be found in suitable habitat in summer throughout the UK, except for south-west England. In winter, birds are widespread in lowland areas. You would be very lucky to see one, but you may inadvertently disturb one from its resting place, when it flies off, zigzagging between the trees and dropping back into cover. When to see themAll year round What they eatWorms, beetles, spiders, caterpillars, fly larvae and small snails. Estimated numbers
* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn. Distribution
Please note that the map is only intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations. Find out moreAudio is from commercial recordings Bird Songs and Calls of Britain and Europe on 4 CDs or Bird Sounds of Europe & North-west Africa, copyright WildSounds & CEBA (www.wildsounds.com, (UK) +44 (0) 1263 741100) |
 Woodcock  Woodcock 'roding' Similar birdsHelp the WoodcockJoin today and help us continue our conservation work to keep these birds safe. |
Woodcock in flight - Graham Catley
Woodcock on nest among dead leaves - S.C. Porter (rspb-images.com, Ref: 1610037_00025_004)
Bird illustrations by Mike Langman (RSPB)