Timberdoodle
Can it see behind its head?
Yes. Its eyes are set so far back on its skull it has near-360° vision. It can almost watch you walk up behind it.
Why does it walk like that?
The rocking "dance" is actually a feeding technique. The vibrations help detect earthworms underground. It's basically sonar, but with vibes.
What is the sky dance?
Males spiral 200–300 feet into the air at dusk, wings twittering, then zigzag back down while singing. The greatest show in birding.
How does it eat?
It can flex the tip of its upper bill underground to grab prey — like chopsticks in soil. This trick is called rhynchokinesis.
Why Bryant Park?
Woodcocks migrate through NYC every spring, stopping in parks to refuel on earthworms. Parks with soft, moist soil can turn into a five-star worm buffet.
What's it actually sound like?
Is 'Timberdoodle' its real name?
One of many. Also: bogsucker, night peck, Labrador twister, mudbat, and hokumpoke. All real. All official.
How fast can it fly?
Among the slowest fliers recorded for a bird its size. It can also eat huge quantities of earthworms — sometimes approaching its own body weight. Priorities.