LC
Eurasian Woodcock Scolopax rusticola



Taxonomy

Taxonomic source(s)
AERC TAC. 2003. AERC TAC Checklist of bird taxa occurring in Western Palearctic region, 15th Draft. Available at: #http://www.aerc.eu/DOCS/Bird_taxa_of _the_WP15.xls#.
Cramp, S. and Simmons, K.E.L. (eds). 1977-1994. Handbook of the birds of Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The birds of the western Palearctic. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
del Hoyo, J., Collar, N.J., Christie, D.A., Elliott, A. and Fishpool, L.D.C. 2014. HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 1: Non-passerines. Lynx Edicions BirdLife International, Barcelona, Spain and Cambridge, UK.

IUCN Red list criteria met and history
Red List criteria met
Critically Endangered Endangered Vulnerable
- - -

Red List history
Year Category Criteria
2016 Least Concern
2014 Least Concern
2012 Least Concern
2009 Least Concern
2008 Least Concern
2004 Least Concern
2000 Lower Risk/Least Concern
1994 Lower Risk/Least Concern
1988 Lower Risk/Least Concern
Species attributes

Migratory status full migrant Forest dependency Medium
Land mass type Average mass -
Distribution

Estimate Data quality
Extent of Occurrence breeding/resident (km2) 49,000,000 medium
Extent of Occurrence non-breeding (km2) 52,500,000 medium
Number of locations -
Severely Fragmented -
Population and trend
Value Data quality Derivation Year of estimate
No. of mature individuals poor estimated 2012
Population trend Stable suspected -
Decline (3 years/1 generation past) - - -
Decline (5 years/1 generation past) - - -
Decline (10 years/1 generation past) - - -
Decline (10 years/3 generation future) - - -
Decline (10 years/3 generation past and future) - - -
Number of subpopulations - - -
Percentage in largest subpopulation - - -
Generation length (yrs) 6.3 - - -

Population justification: The global population is estimated to number c.10,000,000-26,000,000 individuals (Wetlands International 2015). The European population is estimated at 6,890,000-8,710,000 calling or lekking males, which equates to 13,800,000-17,400,000 mature individuals (BirdLife International 2015).

Trend justification: The largest population is estimated to be stable (BirdLife International 2015). Therefore the overall population trend is stable, although some populations have unknown trends (Wetlands International 2015).


Country/territory distribution
Country/Territory Occurrence status Presence Resident Breeding Non-breeding Passage
Afghanistan N Extant Yes
Albania N Extant Yes
Algeria N Extant
Armenia N Extant Yes
Austria N Extant Yes
Azerbaijan N Extant Yes
Bahrain V Extant Yes
Bangladesh V Extant
Belarus N Extant Yes
Belgium N Extant Yes
Bhutan N Extant Yes
Bosnia and Herzegovina V Possibly Extinct
Brunei V Extant
Bulgaria N Extant Yes
Canada V Extant
China (mainland) N Extant Yes
Croatia N Extant Yes
Cyprus N Extant Yes
Czechia N Extant Yes
Denmark N Extant Yes Yes
Egypt N Extant
Estonia N Extant Yes
Faroe Islands (to Denmark) N Extant Yes
Finland N Extant Yes
France N Extant Yes Yes
Georgia N Extant Yes
Germany N Extant Yes Yes
Gibraltar (to UK) V Extant Yes
Greece N Extant Yes Yes
Greenland (to Denmark) V Extant
Hong Kong (China) N Extant
Hungary N Extant Yes Yes
Iceland V Extant
India N Extant Yes
Iran, Islamic Republic of N Extant Yes
Iraq N Extant Yes
Ireland N Extant Yes
Israel N Extant
Italy N Extant Yes Yes
Japan N Extant Yes
Jordan V Extant
Kazakhstan N Extant Yes
Kuwait N Extant Yes
Kyrgyzstan N Extant Yes Yes
Laos N Extant
Latvia N Extant Yes
Lebanon N Extant Yes Yes
Libya N Extant
Liechtenstein N Extant Yes
Lithuania N Extant Yes
Luxembourg N Extant Yes
Malaysia V Extant
Malta N Extant
Moldova N Extant Yes Yes
Mongolia N Extant Yes
Montenegro N Extant Yes
Morocco N Extant
Myanmar N Extant
Nepal N Extant Yes
Netherlands N Extant Yes
North Korea N Extant
North Macedonia N Extant Yes
Norway N Extant Yes
Oman V Extant Yes
Pakistan N Extant Yes
Palestine N Extant Yes Yes
Philippines V Extant
Poland N Extant Yes
Portugal N Extant Yes
Romania N Extant Yes
Russia N Extant Yes Yes
Russia (Asian) N Extant Yes
Russia (Central Asian) N Extant Yes
Russia (European) N Extant Yes
Saudi Arabia N Extant Yes
Serbia N Extant Yes
Singapore N Extant Yes
Slovakia N Extant Yes
Slovenia N Extant Yes Yes
South Korea N Extant
Spain N Extant Yes
Sri Lanka N Extant
Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands (to Norway) V Extant
Sweden N Extant Yes
Switzerland N Extant Yes
Syria N Extant Yes
Taiwan, China N Extant
Tajikistan N Extant
Thailand N Extant
Tunisia N Extant
Turkey N Extant Yes
Turkmenistan N Extant
Ukraine N Extant Yes Yes
United Arab Emirates V Extant Yes
United Kingdom N Extant Yes
USA V Extant
Uzbekistan N Extant
Vietnam N Extant

Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA)
Country/Territory IBA Name
Belarus Halubickaja Pušča
Belarus Zachodniaja Biarezina
Belarus Biarezinski zapaviednik
Estonia Puhatu mire
Andorra Pirineo de Andorra
Cyprus Akamas and Agia Aikaterini – Agia Paraskevi Gorges
Slovenia Ljubljansko moor
Slovenia Ribnica valley
Sweden Lake Ånn – Storlien
Poland Delta of the Swina river
Poland Marshy Valley of the Narew River
Poland Biebrza river valley
Poland Parczew forests
Poland Pisz forest
Poland Gródek-Michalowo basin
Poland Marshy valley of the Drweca river
Greece Axios, Loudias and Aliakmonas rivers' deltas
Greece Mesolongi and Aitoliko lagoons, Acheloos delta and Evinos estuary
Greece Mount Ochi and surrounding marine area
Greece Lake Stymfalia
Greece Kato Olympos, Tempi gorge and mount Ossa
Greece Filiouri valley and eastern Rodopi mountains
Greece Kompsatos valley
Greece Megalo and Mikro Livari lagoons, Istiaia
Greece Lake Kourna, Almyros delta and Georgioupolis coast, Crete
Greece Prespa National Park and Varnountas mountains
Greece Mount Mavrovouni, Larisa
Greece Southwestern Lesvos and Petrified forest
Greece Gera gulf, Ntipi and Charamida marshes, Lesvos
Greece Acherontas gorge and estuary
Greece Acheloos valley
Greece Amvrakikos gulf
Greece Mount Taygetos
Greece Kalloni Gulf, Lesvos
Greece Mount Beles (Kerkini)
Greece Lake Kerkini
Greece Porto Lagos, lake Vistonida and coastal lagoons
Greece Nestos delta and coastal lagoons
Greece Nestos gorge
Greece Lakes Chortarolimni and Alyki, Moudros gulf, Diapori fen and Fakos peninsula, Limnos
Finland Ruissalo
Finland Paimionlahti bay
Finland Korppoo and Nauvo southern archipelago
Finland Puurijärvi-Isosuo wetlands
Finland Rauma and Luvia archipelagos
Finland Koskeljärvi, Vaaljärvi and Pitkäjärvi lakes
Finland Pori archipelago and wetlands
Finland Hanko western archipelago
Finland Kirkon-Vilkkiläntura Bay
Finland Itäinen Suomenlahti National Park
Finland Siikalahti bay and Sammallampi lake
Finland Torronsuo and Lake Talpianjärvi
Finland Koijärvi lake
Finland Artjärvi wetlands
Finland Kangasala wetlands
Finland Linnansaari
Finland Talaskangas
Finland Patvinsuo National Park
Finland Viklinrimpi
Finland Outokumpu wetlands
Finland Koitajoki area
Finland Värtsilä valley
Finland Merenkurkku archipelago
Finland Kokkola and Kälviä archipelago
Finland Rummelö-Harrbodan
Finland Valtavaara-Pyhävaara
Finland Oulanka-Sukerijärvi
Finland Syöte-Salmitunturi
Finland Kemihaara (Vuotos) mires and forests
Finland Käsivarsi fjelds
Hungary Inner Somogy
Spain La Demanda mountains
Spain San Mauricio-Bohí-Beret
Spain Alt Pallars
Spain Boumort mountains
Spain Ancares mountains
Ukraine Kyivs'ke reservoir
Ukraine Dniprovs'ko-Oril's'kyj Nature Reserve
Ukraine Lyman lake
Ukraine Izyums'ka Luka forest
France Bassin d'Arcachon et Banc d'Arguin
France Barthes de l'Adour
France Garonne : marais de Bordeaux
France Forêts du Perche
France Vallée de la Loire : environs de Blois
France Brenne centrale
France Etang d'Urbino et zones humides périphériques
France Estuaire et embouchure de la Seine
France Estuaires picards : baies de Somme et d'Authie
France Traicts et marais salants de la Presqu'île Guérandaise
France Vallée de la Loire : de Nantes à Montsoreau
France Ile de la Platière
France Arjuzanx
France Forêt de Jugny
France Forêt de Citeaux et environs
France Forêt de Châtillon et environs
France Forêts d'altitude du Jura : forêt du Risol et Mont d'Or
France Forêt d'altitude du Jura : forêt du Risoux
France Vallée de la Durance : de Tallard à Sisteron
France Bois du Chapitre
France Le Pinail, Forêt de Moulière et bois du Défens
France Marais de la Souche
France Haute chaîne du Jura: défilé de l'écluse, Etournel et Mont Vuache
United Kingdom Arun Valley
United Kingdom Chichester and Langstone Harbours
United Kingdom Lower Derwent Valley
United Kingdom Mid-Essex Coast
United Kingdom North Norfolk Coast
United Kingdom Northumbria Coast
United Kingdom Alde - Ore Estuary
United Kingdom Thames Estuary and Marshes
United Kingdom Muirkirk and North Lowther Uplands
Italy Pian di Spagna and Lake Mezzola
Italy River Po: from the mouth of Adda river to Ostiglia
Italy Migliarino-San Rossore
Italy Uccellina mountains, Trappola marshes and Ombrone mouth
Czechia Krivoklatsko (Krivoklatsko region)
Czechia Doupov hills
Serbia Koviljski rit
Serbia Fruska gora
Serbia Vršačke Planine
Serbia Cer mountain
Serbia Tara mountain
Serbia Uvac-Milesevka
Serbia Kopaonik
Serbia Prokletije
Slovakia Slovenský karst
Slovakia Horná Orava
Slovakia Malé Karpaty
Slovakia Bukovské hills
Slovakia Veľká Fatra
Slovakia Nízke Tatry
Slovakia Spišská Magura
Serbia Sara mountain
Serbia Vlasina
Serbia Stara mountains
Austria Steinfeld
Austria Vienna forest
Austria Middle Kamp valley
Austria Niederösterreichische Randalpen
Austria Freiwald
Austria Bohemian forest and Mühl valley
Austria Northern Kalkalpen
Austria Styrian Joglland
Austria Lower valley of the Gail
Austria Kaisergebirge
Austria Slope forests in the Klostertal
Germany Ponds and Elbe valley near Torgau
Germany Rhön Biosphere Reserve
Germany Wahner Heide
Germany Bayerischer Wald National Park with Arber region and Hohem Bogen
Germany Pressel wooded heath and mire
Germany Westerzgebirge around Carlsfeld
Germany Erzgebirgskamm near Satzung
Germany Eastern Erzgebirge around Fürstenau
Germany Sächsische Schweiz National Park
Germany Isar valley: Gottfrieding - Plattling incl. Isar mouth
Germany Wagbach lowlands
Germany Bastau lowlands
Germany Medebacher Bucht
Germany Sennelager training area
Germany Landgraben and Dumme lowlands
Germany Lucie and Landwehr
Germany Viehmoor with Leiferder Teiche
Germany Ostenholzer Moor and Meissendorfer Teiche
Germany Steinhuder Meer
Germany Hamme lowlands
Germany Tinner Dose and Staverner Dose
Germany Elbe lowlands between Schnackenburg and Lauenburg
Germany Nürnberger Reichswald
Germany Military training area east and west of Jüterbog
Germany North-eastern lower Harz mountains
Germany Northern Steigerwald
Germany Duvenstedter Brook
Germany Gladenbach mountains east of Herborn
Germany Waldeck upland
Germany Kellerwald
Germany Hessian Rothaar mountains
Germany Rotes Moor
Germany Hessian Rhine alluvion
Germany Northern Black Forest, west of the Murg
Germany Northern Black Forest, east of the Murg
Germany Feldberg in the Black Forest
Germany South-eastern Alb and Upper Danube valley
Belarus Liebiadziny Moch
France Domaine d'Orx
France Côte Médocaine: dunes boisées et dépressions humides
France Baie des Veys et Marais du Cotentin
France Rade de Brest: Baie de Daoulas et Anse du Poulmic
France Lac du Der-Chantecoq et étangs latéraux
France Vallée de la Loire : environs de Montlouis-sur-Loire
France Etangs de Sologne: St Viatre, Marcilly-en-Gault et forêt de Bruadan
France Forêt d'Orléans: massifs d'Ingrannes et de Lorris
France Mars sur Allier
France Vallée de la Loire : La Charité-sur-Loire
France Vallée de la Saône de Corre à Broye
France Cap Gris-nez
France Anse de Fouras, baie d'Yves et marais de Rochefort
France Region de Pressac, étang de Combourg
France Etangs et marais du bassin de la Somme
France Estuaire de la Loire
France Lac de Grand-Lieu
France Marais poitevin et baie de l'Aiguillon
France Réserve Naturelle du courant d'Huchet
France Plaine de Villefagnan
France Forêts d'altitude du Jura : forêt du Massacre
France Massifs de Fontainebleau et zones humides adjacentes
France Massif du Canigou-Carança
France Parc National des Cévennes
France Val d'Allier Bourbonnais
France Parc National des Ecrins
France Parc National de la Vanoise
Iran, Islamic Republic of Dasht-e Naz Wildlife Refuge
Iran, Islamic Republic of Miankaleh Peninsula and Gorgan Bay
Iran, Islamic Republic of Lashgarak and Latian dam
Austria March/Thaya riverine forest
Austria Western Waldviertel
Austria Fish-ponds in the Waldviertel
Austria Lower Kamp valley
Austria Allentsteig military training area
Austria Ötscher-Dürrenstein
Austria Southern Waldviertel
Austria Riverine forests in the Tullnerfeld
Austria Ibmer Moor
Austria Salzach valley
Austria Lower course of the Traun
Austria Niedere Tauern
Austria Styrian Enns valley
Austria Villacher Alpe-Dobratsch
Austria Karwendel
Ukraine KardashinskI mires
Ukraine Chornobyl zone
Austria Tyrolian Lech valley
Austria Silvretta and Verwall
Ukraine Sinelnikov Complex
Turkmenistan Mergen
Lebanon Shouf Cedars Nature Reserve
Slovenia Pohorje
Finland Maltio fjelds
Finland Tornionjoki Delta
Finland Oulu region wetlands
Finland Ruunaa
Finland Maaninka wetlands
Germany Großes Moor near Gifhorn
Germany Harz National Park
Germany Diepholzer Moorniederung and Siedener Moor
Germany Barnbruch
Germany Drömling (Niedersachsen)
Germany Südradde lowlands
Germany Hasbruch
Germany Huvenhoopsmor and Breddorfer Wiesen
Germany Kuppendorfer Böhrde
Germany Hildesheim forest
Germany Northern Black Forest
Germany Central Black Forest
Germany Southern Black Forest
Germany Mooswälder near Freiburg
Germany Korker Wald
Germany High alps of Allgäu
Germany Döberitzer Heide
Germany Heathlands of Lieberose-Staakow-Reicherskreuz
Germany Altengrabower Heide
Germany Zschornoer Heide
Germany Retzower Heide
Germany Forests of Lauenburg
Luxembourg Region Kiischpelt
Luxembourg Upper Valley of the Our
Luxembourg Upper Valley of the Sure
Luxembourg Dudelange Haard
Luxembourg Esch/Alzette South-east
Luxembourg Mines of the region of Differdange
Poland Odra riverine forests
Poland Polesie
Poland Beskid Zywiecki Mountains
Poland Polica Mountain Range
Poland Beskid Niski Mountains
Poland Stobrawa Watershed
Poland Radlow Forest
Poland Poprad Site
Sweden Sjaunja
Sweden Lake Laidaure
Sweden Lake Persöfjärden
Kazakhstan Karagie Depression
Albania Drini Delta
Albania Lake Shkodra (Lake Scadar)
Albania Velipoja

Habitats & altitude
Habitat (level 1) Habitat (level 2) Importance Occurrence
Artificial/Terrestrial Plantations suitable breeding
Artificial/Terrestrial Plantations suitable non-breeding
Forest Boreal suitable breeding
Forest Temperate major breeding
Forest Temperate major non-breeding
Shrubland Mediterranean-type Shrubby Vegetation suitable breeding
Shrubland Mediterranean-type Shrubby Vegetation suitable non-breeding
Altitude   Occasional altitudinal limits  

Utilisation
Purpose Primary form used Life stage used Source Scale Level Timing
Food - human - - Non-trivial Recent
Sport hunting/specimen collecting - - Non-trivial Recent

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2023) Species factsheet: Scolopax rusticola. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 20/03/2023. Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2023) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 20/03/2023.