Dazzle them with March dance steps and fancy flight!

The first days of spring on Cape Cod always seem to be more winter-like than not. There is the occasional teaser, a beautiful sunny day when temperatures rise into the upper 50s, but for the most part Cape springs are influenced by the surrounding cold water temperatures, which linger on after winter. However, the seasonal signs or events of spring are usually evident by the end of March and into early April. One of the most enjoyable of these experiences is the mating flight display of the male American Woodcock.

This well camouflaged and wary ground bird is a relative to the sandpiper and a member of the family Scolopacide. It is often referred to as our upland shorebird. Woodcocks, also called “timberdoodles” are about eight inches in length, with the female slightly larger than the male. As noted their feather markings make them almost indistinguishable from the leaf litter and twig background of their habitat. The long bill, squat appearance, short legs, mottled feathers and a dark eyeline and auricle stripe are distinguishing characteristics.

Besides being “shorebirds of the forest edge” woodcocks have several other interesting characteristics including eyes set aside and well back high on the head, which allows for 360° vision, protecting them from predators even when feeding. They also have a long somewhat flexible bill used primarily for feeding on earthworms and insects below the surface of the soil. Woodcocks have an explosive takeoff when they are flushed. This along with their zig-zag flight makes them one of the few hunted shorebirds.

Yet by far the most interesting aspect of this bird is its extraordinary mating flight display which begins in March, sometimes even when snow is still on the ground. Around dusk each evening and usually near a moist field edge or shrub row, the buzzing “peent” sound of the male is first heard before the bird is found or spotted. The male will repeatedly and with increasing frequency make this harsh peent sound as he bobs around to attract a nearby female. He will then fly upward in a wide but tightening spiral. Wings begin to twitter as the bird gets higher, and upon reaching 100 feet or more the feathers seem to quiet, but he begins to chirp and starts his decent. This zig-zag chirping dive or drop ends with a silent landing near the female. The male then begins to peent and dance once more and the display begins again. The activity will continue till dark. After mating, the female will lay 2- 4 eggs. The eggs usually take around 20 days to incubate, and the chicks will fledge in about two weeks.

Woodcocks can be found in many areas around the Cape, and both the Cape Cod Bird Club (http://massbird.org/ccbc/) and the Massachusetts Audubon Society usually have woodcock walks each spring. (www.massaudubon.org - click on sanctuaries then go to Cape locations for programs) Check their web sites for information on these walks, as they best insure your first time experience of this amazing courtship display.

Image courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife

For more information about the American Woodcock, visit the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.