American Woodcock vs. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

The first round concludes with a regular ol’ humdinger.

The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker gets most often cited by people who are less familiar with birds. Walk through any neighborhood park and you might get someone asking with a laugh, “Whatcha looking for, a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker?” Well, heck yeah! Sapsuckers are serious stuff. Our only migratory woodpecker and a thrill to see in these parts each spring.

The American Woodcock also has comic chops. Just look at this GIF below that went viral last year.

This odd creature is actually a type of sandpiper and possesses all sorts of peculiar attributes. Appropriately, it has not one but two of the greatest nicknames in birding, Timberdoodle and Bogsucker. It’s beyond a delight to see a woodcock on bleak March day, which is why they’re the pick.

After today just eight birds will be left, the Airborne 8, in Indiana Audubon March Migration Madness.

Pick: American Woodcock

Photos by Shari McCollough