Quick Take
- The American woodcock has gone viral online in recent weeks thanks to its cute appearance and strange walk.
- American woodcocks inhabit forests and wetlands throughout the eastern United States.
- They use their long beaks to dig underground for earthworms, their main food source.
The American woodcock is a silly and amusing bird thanks to its strange walk. As they move on the ground, they bob their body back and forth in a somewhat robotic manner. This has made them something of a meme online. While famous on the internet, they also seem to be famous in real life, as seen in this Instagram post by @nyclovesnyc. In the video, a single American woodcock gathered a large crowd of people who watched in amusement. Read on to learn more about these birds and discover why they are so famous.
The American woodcock’s funny walk is not just a strange movement; it helps mimic the movement of leaf litter, making it harder for predators to spot them.
©Andrea J Smith/Shutterstock.com
About the American Woodcock
The American woodcock is a small shorebird species that inhabits eastern North America. They grow to roughly the size of a common robin, and their feathers are a mix of light and dark browns to match fallen foliage and leaf litter in the fall. Since they inhabit forests and wetlands, this coloring helps camouflage them from predators. The American woodcock’s diet consists mostly of earthworms, which they find by probing the ground with their long beaks. Their long beak allows them to dig deeper than just the surface, which is extremely helpful. They are also migratory birds. When the soil begins to get cold and freeze, they move south to warmer temperatures. This means they migrate between the southern and northern United States depending on the season.
Why Are They Famous?
American woodcocks are literally a walking meme, and for good reason. They’ve gone viral online because of their iconic rocking walk, which, when paired with music, makes for a great video. As seen in the post above, they walk with a rocking motion. They keep their head still while only their body moves back and forth. Their cute appearance helps with popularity as well. Their round body and small head with a comically large beak are adorable and make viewers want to see more. The best part is, you can even see them in person! Since they are a common bird throughout the eastern United States, you can see this ‘meme’ in real life!
