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Definition of american woodcock
american woodcock
Plural:American woodcocks
• noun
1
North American A small, plump, migratory game bird (Scolopax minor) native to eastern North America, characterized by its long bill, highly camouflaged brown plumage, and preference for moist, early-successional woodlands.
Example
"During our evening hike through the damp thicket, we were lucky enough to hear the distinctive 'peent' call of an American woodcock."
Word Nuance & Usage
The American woodcock is famous among birdwatchers for its unique crepuscular courtship display known as the 'sky dance', and is frequently referred to by colloquial names such as 'timberdoodle'.
• Nearby Words
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of American woodcock. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/american-woodcock