Sulawesi Woodcock illustration
Birdsong field guide

Sulawesi Woodcock

Scolopax celebensis

The Sulawesi Woodcock is a large, elusive forest wader endemic to the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, characterized by its cryptic, dark plumage and nocturnal lifestyle.

What it sounds like

A series of sharp, mechanical-sounding 'pit-pit' notes followed by a low, guttural croak during display flights.

Reference call, compare with what you heard
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Rec. Richard E. Webster · IndonesiaCC BY-NC-SAXeno-canto

Field notes

  • It is the largest species in the genus Scolopax, reaching lengths of up to 35 centimeters.
  • Unlike many of its relatives, this woodcock is non-migratory and remains in its tropical highland habitat year-round.
  • The species is predominantly nocturnal or crepuscular, spending daylight hours hidden in dense undergrowth.
  • It performs a specialized aerial courtship display known as 'roding' over the forest canopy at dawn and dusk.
  • Its diet consists mainly of earthworms and soil invertebrates extracted from soft mud using a highly sensitive, long bill.
Habitat
Damp montane and submontane rainforests and moss forests, usually at elevations above 1,000 meters.
Range
Endemic to the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Similar & commonly confused birds

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