Woodcock

2nd February 2024

Photo Credit: Joe Riederer (Getty Images), CANVA

QUOTATION

Ay, springes to catch woodcocks. I do know

When the blood burns, how prodigal the soul

lends the tongue vows.

POLONIUS: Hamlet, Act 1, Scene 3

Woodcock (Scolopax rusticola)

Shakespeare was fond of using the Woodcock as a metaphor for guileless, trusting behaviour or nature which is easily deceived. Woodcocks were caught for food and appear in many recipes of the period. The Good Huswifes Handmaide for the Kitchin (1594) suggests that ‘a Woodcock is best between October and Lent’, and ‘half a dozen Woodcockes, sauce Mustard and Sugar’ for second course.

Woodcocks are large wading birds with a long beak but often live in woodlands. They are mainly nocturnal. There is a resident UK population but they also migrate to the UK in winter. The UK populations are declining but they are assessed as Least Concern at a global level.

More Information

Birdlife Datazone: Eurasian Woodcock

British Trust for Ornithology (BTO): Woodcock

Folger Shakespeare Library: Search Shakespeare’s Works

Foods of England: Good Huswife’s Handmaide for the Kitchin (1594)

RSPB: Woodcock