The slowest flying bird on earth, the woodcock

The slowest flying bird on Earth, the woodcock is a wading bird. The body is chubby, the beak is long and straight, and the legs are short. It looks like a sand cone, but has wider dark brown horizontal spots from the top of the head to the occiput. Compared with most sand cones, its body color is more rusty red, especially the rusty red waist and tail are quite obvious when flying. In addition, when flying, its body size is significantly larger than that of a sand cone, its wings are wide and rounded, and its flapping wings are heavy.

Woodcock is a monotypic species. Breeds from central and northern Europe to Xinjiang, Northeast my country and northern Japan, as well as from Pakistan to northern Myanmar. Migrate and overwinter from Europe to North Africa, Japan, the Korean Peninsula, most of my country and Southeast Asia.

Woodcock breeds in moist deciduous forests and mixed woodlands, and migrates and overwinters in more open woodlands under the forest. However, it is also common in coastal areas during migration. It is nocturnal, hiding on the ground during the day and occasionally active during the day. They crouch when disturbed and are difficult to detect. If disturbed too close, it will run away or fly low. Forages at night, eating worms, etc.

Woodcocks are mainly winter migratory birds in China, with some summer migratory birds. In spring, it migrates to Changbai Mountain in the northeast as early as late March and early April, and in autumn, it migrates south from early September to late October. More nocturnal. They often hide in forests or grass during the day, and only go to nearby lakes, rivers, rice fields and swamps to forage at night and dusk. Can't hide during the day. Except for its courtship flight over the forest at dusk, it is generally difficult to see it during the day. When encountering danger, they are forced to rise from the ground, and they often only fly a short distance before falling back to the ground and hiding in the grass or bushes. When flying, the beak is pointed downward. It flies fast and dexterously, and can continuously change directions during flight and shuttle through the woods. However, it appears bulky and swaying when flying. Sexually lonely, often living alone and not liking to be in groups. It also chirps less, only when taking off.

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