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The American Woodcock
(Scolopax minor)
has been identified as a focal species of management concern due to apparent long- and short-term population declines in North America and existing threats in both its breeding and non-breeding grounds. Habitat loss and alteration across Woodcock range through urbanization, reforestation, drainage of wetlands, and agricultural development, in particular along the east coast of the United States, is suspected as the primary cause of region-wide population declines.
Date: September 2006
Sources:
Robertson, B. 2002. The Nature Conservancy Species Management Abstract: American Woodcock (
Scolopax minor
). Downloaded from (http: conserveonline.org) on 9/6/2006.
Keppie, D.M. and R..M. Whiting, Jr. 1994. American Woodcock (
Scolopax minor
). In The Birds of North America, No. 100 (A. Poole and F. Gill, Eds.). Philadelphia: The Academy of Natural Sciences; Washington, D.C.: The American Ornithologists Union.
Species Profile from NatureServe
American Woodcock Scolopax minor
Description:shorebird
Life History:
Reproduction Comments: Breeding begins early January to February in south, to early April in north. Usually ends by early June (Baicich and Harrison 1997). In northern range, nest typically in young, sparse, usually upland, mixed-growth woodlands (Keppie and Whiting 1994). Also in shrubby cover, edges of clearings, in thickets, or under trees in open woodland, with dead leaf cover. Often found in moist areas. Nest a shallow depression into existing leaf and twig litter, usually < 1m from base of tree, shrub. Unconcealed and under bushes, among dead trees and twigs (Keppie and Whiting 1994, Baicich and Harrison 1997). Male performs an aerial courtship display, flying spirally upward while creating a twittering sound with its flight feathers.
Female lays four grayish orange eggs, occasionally 3-5 (Keppie and Whiting 1994, Baicich and Harrison 1997). Female incubates. Young hatch in 20-21 days (Baicich and Harrison 1997). Young are precocial, departing nest within a few hours, feeding with help of parent. Rapidly grow and reach full size at 30 days. Young are tended by female for about 1 month, can fly at 14-15 days, and become independent of parent 31-38 days (Horton and Causey 1979, Sepik et al. 1981, Keppie and Whiting 1994). Single-brooded, but may renest if the nest is destroyed or if the young are lost early during brood rearing (Keppie and Whiting 1994).
Habitat:
Palustrine Habitat(s): Bog/fen, FORESTED WETLAND, Riparian, TEMPORARY POOL
United States: AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV
Canada: MB, NB, NF, NS, ON, PE, QC
Status:
NatureServe Status:
Global Status: G5,
Global Status Last Reviewed: 26Nov1996,
Global Status Last Changed: 26Nov1996,
Rounded Global Status: G5 - Secure,
Nation: United States,
National Status: N5B N5N,
Nation: Canada,
National Status:N5B (09Dec1999)
Other Statuses:
IUCN Red List Category: LC - Least concern
