Close Encounters with the American Woodcock (Timberdoodle): Did This Sandpiper Lose Its Way?

I’ve seen American Woodcocks before, but never out in the open and crossing the road right in front of me! This video not only shows how these birds move but also explains the mystery of their odd way of walking. See one in action as it finds food. You’ll get a better understanding of how this bird’s adaptations help it to survive.
The American Woodcock is the only member of its family native to eastern North America, ranging from the southern parts of Canada to the eastern United States, with the seven other woodcock species found in Europe and Asia. Their closest relatives are a group of shorebirds known as snipes. Together, they fall within the sandpiper family.
American Woodcocks go by many nicknames that speak to their haunts and habits, some dating back to at least the mid-19th century. Among our favorites: timberdoodle, mudbat, bogsucker, night partridge, and Labrador twister.
The Seneca Indians believed that the Creator made the Woodcock from the leftover parts of every other bird. projectupland.com/woodcock-hu...
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Other birds shown:
Wilson’s Snipe, Ruddy Turnstone, and Long-billed Dowitcher (all members of the Sandpiper family).
All videos and photos credit Wondering About Nature except:
American Woodcock head diagram: Amos W. Butler, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Videos of American Woodcock finding a worm and probing: Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons
American Woodcock calling credit Justin Watts, CC BY-SA 4.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons
American Woodcock aerial display credit Thomas Hewes Hinckley, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
American Woodcock head with brain diagram credit: / 1254967755075436546
Equipment used:
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400 Digital Camera
Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-RX10 IV
Benro MeFOTO RoadTrip PRO Series 1 5-Section 6-In-1 Carbon Fiber Tripod

[@fortitudevalance8424]

Got the moves like John Travolta.

[@Wondering_About_Nature]

Most definitely! Thanks for watching.

[@lIlIIlIllIIIllIIllIlIllIllI]

Love this video thanks for uploading! ^^

[@Wondering_About_Nature]

So glad you enjoyed it. I was so thrilled to have it walk across the road at just the right time!

[@dannisan77]

That's a fascinating kind of bird.

[@Wondering_About_Nature]

It's amazing how nature works! This bird is definitely interesting to watch in action. Thanks for the comment.

[@JFBassett2050]

Ya gotta luv the Timberdoodle.

[@Wondering_About_Nature]

Right? They are so unique. Thanks for stopping by my channel.

[@debraaument1741]

Very interesting! So cute!

[@Wondering_About_Nature]

They are such fascinating birds. I'm so glad I was able to record it in action and share all the fun information. Thanks for the comment.

[@ZodiacSam]

Thanks. They are my favorite bird.

[@Wondering_About_Nature]

So glad you enjoyed it. I was so thrilled to see it out in the open.

[@Cobaltdragon]

Fascinating have never seen one before. Thank you for sharing. I am now caught up and waiting to see what new adventures you will share. Congratulations on now over 600 👍

[@Wondering_About_Nature]

Thanks for checking it out. I was so surprised to see it walking across the road! I've seen a few before but usually hunkered down in the woods. Glad you're caught up for a bit. I know the feeling. I've been trying to catch up on a few videos on my favorite channels, and then I go for a walk and nature puts another cool critter in front of me!

[@user-bi2lx7ou7i]

Bird walks so funny. Makes funny furt sound.

[@Wondering_About_Nature]

They sure do! If you see one and don't realize that's their usual way of walking, it almost looks like they are injured or have a mobility problem!

[@bradleydass3075]

I do the same dance when I need to conjure up some worms for fishing

[@Wondering_About_Nature]

Is there a video of this worm-finding exercise? LOL

[@gregnovak3648]

If Timberdoodles are raised from an egg, and never have a chance to learn their “walk” from their parents or other Timberdoodles, will they still walk the Timberdoodles way ??

[@Wondering_About_Nature]

That's a great question. I did some research, but I've not found anything about it yet. I did find that those hatched out with their parents will learn the habits/walking patterns of the parents, but if they are raised in captivity without adults present, it would be interesting to know if they still have that instinct to walk as the wild ones walk. Thanks for raising that question!

[@RP-mm9ie]

walks so funny

[@Wondering_About_Nature]

They really do! Thanks for watching and leaving a comment.