He zips into the clearing with such speed that it looks as if he forgot to put on his air brakes, yet he lands upright and confident on the exact spot from which he departed. Stomping his feet, he circles and calls the unmistakable peent . See what I can do. Then he's up again to repeat the spectacular display. A female woodcock could not but be impressed.
Spring is the only time that woodcocks become that obvious.
After flight displays cease in about four to six weeks, the birds return to their secretive, nocturnal way of life on the forest floor. Woodcocks are well-camouflaged for life among fallen twigs and strewn leaves. Their predominantly brown back color is broken up with gray and black markings, which give the chunky, short-tailed birds the appearance of dried leaves. Three wide black bands break up the solid buff on the back of a squarish head. The buffy chest is unmarked.