When a woodcock is startled and takes flight from its resting place on the ground, the bird makes a very distinct vocalization. This call that a woodcock makes when flushed is often described as a loud, buzzing “peent” sound.
Quick Answer
The specific call that a woodcock makes when flushed is referred to as the “peent call.” It is a loud, nasal sounding vocalization that lasts for about 1-2 seconds. The peent serves as an alarm or alert call that the woodcock uses when suddenly disturbed and forced to take flight.
What is a Woodcock?
The woodcock is a small, plump bird species belonging to the sandpiper family. There are several different species of woodcock throughout North and South America, Europe, and Asia. In North America, the most common species is the American woodcock (Scolopax minor).
Some key facts about the American woodcock:
- Weighs 5-8 ounces
- Approximately 11 inches long
- Stocky, rounded body
- Large eyes set far back on head
- Long, tapered bill used for probing in soil
- Cryptic brown, black, and gray plumage
- Primarily inhabits moist woodlands and thickets
- Often rests and feeds in openings and fields
The American woodcock has many specialized adaptations for its habitat and lifestyle. Their plumage provides excellent camouflage as they rest on the forest floor. Their large eyes are set far back on their head, giving them nearly 360° vision to watch for predators. Their long, flexible bill allows them to easily probe into soft soil to find earthworms and insects to eat.
Behavior and Habits
Woodcocks are active at dawn and dusk, feeding primarily on earthworms, insect larvae, and other small invertebrates that they probe for in soft, moist soil. During the day, they tend to rest in thick brush, tall grass, or among fallen logs. Their cryptic coloration hides them very effectively when they remain motionless during these rest periods.
When a woodcock is startled and feels the need to take flight quickly, it will make its loud “peent” call as it flushes from its resting spot. This typically happens if an animal like a dog, fox, or human gets too close. The peent call serves to startle potential predators as well as alert other nearby woodcocks.
The Peent Call and its Purpose
The peent call is a loud, buzzing vocalization that carries well in the woodcock’s forested habitat. It is often described as sounding like a nasal “peent” but various other descriptions like “bzeent” and “pneent” can be found as people try to put the unique sound into words.
This call serves several purposes for the woodcock:
- Startles predators – The sudden loud noise can briefly distract/alarm predators
- Alerts other woodcocks – Warns other birds in the area of potential danger
- Scatters flock – Triggers birds feeding together to scatter and fly off
- Locates mates – Helps male and female woodcocks find each other during breeding season
By making this conspicuous sound, woodcocks can communicate information quickly to other members of their species. The peent is thought to be made both voluntarily and involuntarily when the bird is highly alarmed.
When and Why Peenting Happens
Woodcocks will typically peent in the following situations:
- When abruptly flushed from daytime resting spots
- When attacked or seized by a predator
- When warning others about a predator that is spotted
- When communicating with mates during breeding season
The reasons they peent in these contexts relate back to the purposes described previously. The loud vocalization can startle predators, alert other birds, repel rivals, and attract mates. It is thought that frequently peenting when flushed helps young woodcocks learn the proper anti-predator response for the species.
Description of the Sound
The peent call has some very distinctive qualities:
- Loud volume – Typically 70-80 decibels, carrying up to 300 meters
- Short duration – Lasts for 1 to 2 seconds
- Buzzing, humming quality
- Abrupt onset and ending
- Fundamental frequency of 150-160 Hz
The loud, buzzing nature and short duration helps the sound transmit quickly through dense forest cover. The frequency falls right in the range that is best detected by the woodcock’s ears.
Hunting and Conservation
In many parts of North America, woodcock hunting is a popular pastime because the birds provide a good sporting challenge for hunters and dogs. However, habitat loss and degradation have caused woodcock populations to decline significantly over the past few decades.
Some states and provinces have had to greatly restrict woodcock hunting or end it completely to help conserve the remaining populations. The distinctive peent call can help hunters locate the elusive birds in thick cover during the hunting seasons.
Many government agencies and conservation groups now consider the American woodcock a high priority species for habitat protection, restoration, and management efforts to support sustainable populations for the future.
Estimated Population Declines
Time Period | Estimated Decline |
---|---|
1968 to 2018 | 63% |
2002 to 2018 | 34% |
Causes of Population Declines
- Habitat loss from development
- Draining and filling of wetlands
- Conversion of forests to agriculture
- Lack of young forest habitat
- Increased predation from loss of cover
Other Interesting Facts
- The scientific name Scolopax minor means “little snipe”.
- A male’s peenting display during courtship is called “sky dancing”.
- Females make a softer “pneet” call when communicating with males.
- Woodcocks have excellent camouflage but freeze rather than flee when threatened.
- Their feet lack a hind toe and are specially adapted for grasping.
- The tip of the bill is flexible and sensitive, helping find food underground.
- Woodcocks have been known to peent loudly when caught by predators.
- Their droppings are long and spiral shaped to mark territory.
Conclusion
The “peent” call of the American woodcock is a loud, buzzing vocalization that serves multiple purposes for this unique bird. It is used to warn other birds of danger, startle predators, help locate mates, and as an involuntary response when alarmed. This distinctive sound is tied closely to the woodcock’s natural history and behavioral ecology.
Understanding details like the peent call can help illuminate the survival strategies of declining species. With this knowledge, conservationists and wildlife managers can make informed plans to protect and manage habitat needed by these fascinating birds into the future.