Eurasian Woodcock

The Eurasian Woodcock (Scolopax rusticola) is commonly known in Spain and Castile and Leon as “Becada” or “Chocha Perdiz”. But there are different common names depending on the zones of Castile and Leon. In the west part of the region (León, Zamora and Salamanca) it is called “Pitorra”, in the North it is called “Arcea” or “Sorda”. In the province of Soria, it is also called “Picuda” and in Ávila the common name is “Chorcha”.

The Eurasian Woodcock is a stocky, short-legged bird. Its eyes are huge and set far back on its head. Its size is similar to the red partridge. It has a very characteristic peak because of its length. The color of the plumage is composed of a mixture of ocher, red, gray, black and white. While there are resident populations, woodcocks are mostly migratory birds. Its hunting season is the general small game season.