In this episode Kristen tells Maeve about the American Woodcock, a request sent in by one of our dear listeners. This is a cute, plump shorebird with short legs and short neck. They prefer deciduous or mixed woods with much young growth and moist soil, such as thickets along streams. These birds have a cool adaption with their bill that allows them to sense invertebrates moving in the soil and grab onto them while they are still underground. Our hosts’ favorite thing about this bird is a strange as-of-yet scientifically unexplained ‘dancing’ behavior. Links to the videos Kristen shows in the show notes below. 

Research for today’s episode came from the following sources: 

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Woodcock/overview

https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/american-woodcock

https://www.audubon.org/news/10-fun-facts-about-american-woodcock#:~:text=In%20an%20extraordinary%20feat%20of,have%20longer%20bills%20than%20males.

Additional Resources:

Videos of courtship displays:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hx-iRZPts6E

“Dancing” videos that Kristen Showed Maeve:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YF3-LvmHM4E

https://www.tiktok.com/@kmkamp20/video/7242838441162018090?_op=1&_r=1&_t=8dgST1TGibK

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Thanks for listening, and happy birding!