Interesting bird...........a Woodcock

[CathyA]

I was on a cart ride through our property this morning and this bird flew out of the brush.
These birds are really cool. They nest on the ground. The male does a mating flight in early spring. Up in the air, he makes some "peent"-type noises (sounds somewhat like a nighthawk) and then dives very quickly. I've heard that the rushing air through his feathers makes another sound.....but I've never heard that.

Such a long beak and short body! He dug for bugs for a long time with me watching him. I finally backed the cart up quietly and left that way, since I didn't want to scare him off. I hope he finds a mate and they are nesting around here.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f129/Catherine50/IMG_5912woodcock6-8-2014_zpsd6c5b244.jpg

[CathyA]

I just read that another name for this bird is "Timberdoodle". :)

[iris lilies]

I love that bird, he has such an interesting look.

[Jilly]

He looks to be settled in already. What is his name? :)

[KayLR]

What an interesting looking bird. CathyA, what region do you live in?

[CathyA]

I live in central Indiana.

[mschrisgo2]

Those are the birds that "cocker" spaniels (dogs) were originally bred to hunt/retrieve from the fields. Interesting, I'd never seen a picture of one. Thanks!

[wren]

I saw one of these this past spring when I was planting trees in a brushy area. It was so perfectly camouflaged that I nearly stepped on the nest before it flew up. Then it landed and feigned a broken wing to lead me away from its nest of eggs. I'd never seen a woodcock before; had to look it up in a book. This year I also saw a live flying squirrel for the first time. Apparently they are common here, but are usually nocturnal.

[CathyA]

Aren't they neat, wren?! We have lots of gray and red squirrels, but no flying squirrels.......although sometimes the kinds I have sure can leap. What part of the country are you in?
It's always exciting to see a new bird/animal for the first time! Oh....and welcome back!

[wren]

CathyA, I'm in eastern Canada, 'the Maritimes'.

[Gardenarian]

Cool! Thank you for posting!