{"id":3374,"date":"2014-03-31T12:10:49","date_gmt":"2014-03-31T16:10:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/?p=3374"},"modified":"2015-04-01T10:11:32","modified_gmt":"2015-04-01T14:11:32","slug":"can-these-animals-fool-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/can-these-animals-fool-you\/","title":{"rendered":"Can These Animals Fool You?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Many animals have particular patterns and colors that help them avoid predators. Some blend into the background or mimic an object like a leaf or twig, and some try to direct a predator\u2019s attention to a less vulnerable body part. Test your visual skills with these tricky creatures.<\/p>\n

American Woodcock<\/h3>\n

There\u2019s a bird in this picture\u2014can you see it? The American woodcock spends much of its time on the ground, where it\u2019s well-camouflaged against leaf litter. Related to sandpipers, it uses a long beak to probe the ground for earthworms. Spot this secretive bird on an upcoming woodcock watch\u00a0program<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"TomZack_ZackStock<\/p>\n

Gray Hairstreak<\/h3>\n

Heads or tails? The gray hairstreak has a false \u201chead\u201d on its hind wings that confuses predators. In this photo, the false head (complete with false antennae) is at the top. In a study on a related butterfly, the red-banded hairstreak, scientists found that jumping spiders were more likely to attack the fake head than the real one, enabling the butterfly to escape with its vital organs unscathed.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Treetop Bush Katydid<\/h3>\n

Can you see this insect? A nymph (or young) katydid is sitting on the largest milkweed leaf to the left. Many katydids mimic leaves, and though you\u2019ll hear their loud calls during the warm months, they remain well hidden. Katydids look a bit like grasshoppers, but they\u2019re more closely related to crickets.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Wood Frog<\/h3>\n

This frog spends much of its time on the forest floor, where it blends in with leaf litter. In the spring it lays eggs in temporary (or \u201cvernal\u201d) pools, calling for mates with a characteristic quacking sound. Having trouble spotting this frog? It\u2019s near the bottom of the picture, a little left of center. Discover wood frogs and vernal pools in an upcoming\u00a0program<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"credit_Dave_Huth_davehuthdotcom\"<\/p>\n

Eastern Screech-Owl<\/h3>\n

This small owl rests in tree cavities during the day. Its feathers blend in with the surrounding bark. Eastern screech-owls also nest in cavities, but they can\u2019t carve into trees themselves, so they rely on woodpeckers and other cavity-creators.<\/p>\n

\"credit_Richard_Johnson\"<\/p>\n

Learn more about identifying these creatures with field guides<\/a><\/strong> from the Audubon Shop, and help kids record their sightings with this Nature Log for Kids<\/a><\/strong>. Happy searching!<\/p>\n

Photo credits: American woodcock copyright Thomas Zack, ZackStock Imaging; gray hairstreak and treetop bush katydid via Rosemary Mosco, Mass Audubon staff; wood frog via Dave Huth, davehuth.com; eastern screech-owl via Richard Johnson.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Many animals have particular patterns and colors that help them avoid predators. Some blend into the background or mimic an object like a leaf or twig, and some try to direct a predator\u2019s attention to a less vulnerable body part. Test your visual skills with these tricky creatures. American Woodcock There\u2019s a bird in this […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":40,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3374","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-nature-notes"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3t87A-Sq","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1808,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/the-dance-of-the-woodcock\/","url_meta":{"origin":3374,"position":0},"title":"The Dance of the Woodcock","author":"Mass Audubon","date":"March 5, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"It's an annual rite of passage.\u00a0As the snow melts away and the first traces of greenery return to the woods of New England, our breeding birds begin the courtship process. And no bird is more of an exhibitionist then the American woodcock. Early March, these elusive birds\u00a0gather at the forest\u2019s\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Nature Notes"","block_context":{"text":"Nature Notes","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/nature-notes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2013\/02\/American-woodcock_credit-Mass-Audubon-and-David-Larson.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":10739,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/8-ways-to-watch-woodcocks\/","url_meta":{"origin":3374,"position":1},"title":"8\u00a0Ways\u00a0to Watch Woodcocks","author":"Mass Audubon","date":"March 27, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"American Woodcocks are back!\u00a0Even when spring arrives late,\u00a0woodcocks still\u00a0perform\u00a0their remarkable sky dances.\u00a0In\u00a0March and early April, these fascinating, awkward-looking\u00a0birds\u00a0put on a\u00a0mating display at dusk. The best part: it\u2019s\u00a0easy to view\u00a0this display in any large brushy field,\u00a0including some city parks. Keep an ear out for a\u00a0woodcock\u2019s\u00a0sharp, nasal\u00a0\u201cpeent!\u201d\u00a0from sunset to half an hour\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Nature Notes"","block_context":{"text":"Nature Notes","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/nature-notes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/03\/WoodcockWilliamFreedberg600.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/03\/WoodcockWilliamFreedberg600.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/03\/WoodcockWilliamFreedberg600.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":16766,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/the-woodcock-sky-dance\/","url_meta":{"origin":3374,"position":2},"title":"The Woodcock Sky Dance","author":"Kaylin D.","date":"March 24, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"While they have many names \u2013 Bogsucker, Labrador Twister, Timberdoodle \u2013 the American Woodcock is known for its marvelous sky dance. Every spring, wet meadows and fields transform into a \"runway\" for their beautiful aerial courtship display. Before you observe the love flight for yourself, catch up on some woodcock\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Birds & Birding"","block_context":{"text":"Birds & Birding","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/birds-birding\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/03\/3049Anna_Jarosinski11093-750x500-9cb703b0-0795-4aa3-8672-6675bff991b3.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/03\/3049Anna_Jarosinski11093-750x500-9cb703b0-0795-4aa3-8672-6675bff991b3.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/03\/3049Anna_Jarosinski11093-750x500-9cb703b0-0795-4aa3-8672-6675bff991b3.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/03\/3049Anna_Jarosinski11093-750x500-9cb703b0-0795-4aa3-8672-6675bff991b3.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1668,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/love-is-for-the-birds\/","url_meta":{"origin":3374,"position":3},"title":"Love is for the Birds","author":"Hillary T.","date":"February 12, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"It\u2019s almost Valentine\u2019s Day and love is in the air. But how do we compare to our bird counterparts when it comes to courtship? Here are just a few of the more impressive romantics in Massachusetts. American Woodcock Come March and April, this reclusive forest dweller puts on quite a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Nature Notes"","block_context":{"text":"Nature Notes","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/nature-notes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"American Woodcock","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2013\/02\/americanwoodcock-150x150.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":8768,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-signs-of-spring\/","url_meta":{"origin":3374,"position":4},"title":"Take 5: Signs of Spring","author":"Ryan D.","date":"April 5, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"The recent weather in Massachusetts may have lots of us feeling like we're on a wild rollercoaster ride, but don't despair\u2014spring is coming! The sights, smells (looking at you, Skunk Cabbage), and sounds of spring\u2014from the sweet\u00a0fee-bee call of the late-winter chickadee to the spring peeper's chorus of chirps\u2014are popping\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Take 5"","block_context":{"text":"Take 5","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/take-5\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Bloodroot \u00a9 Maili Waters, 2016 Photo Contest Winner","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/04\/4100Maili_Waters17500.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/04\/4100Maili_Waters17500.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/04\/4100Maili_Waters17500.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":16799,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/come-one-come-all-bird-a-thon-2022\/","url_meta":{"origin":3374,"position":5},"title":"Come One, Come All: Bird-a-thon 2022","author":"Kaylin D.","date":"April 7, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Every May, around a thousand of people participate in Bird-a-thon. Last year, 13 teams recorded a combined total of 274 bird species in 24 hours, while raising over $310,000 to support Mass Audubon's wildlife sanctuaries, conservation efforts, and education programs across the state.\u00a0 Finding 274 different species of birds is\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Birds & Birding"","block_context":{"text":"Birds & Birding","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/birds-birding\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/04\/IMG_9357-750x500-027ddf84-6ccc-43c0-9ded-50ad75ee1d83.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/04\/IMG_9357-750x500-027ddf84-6ccc-43c0-9ded-50ad75ee1d83.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/04\/IMG_9357-750x500-027ddf84-6ccc-43c0-9ded-50ad75ee1d83.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/04\/IMG_9357-750x500-027ddf84-6ccc-43c0-9ded-50ad75ee1d83.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3374","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/40"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3374"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3374\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5154,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3374\/revisions\/5154"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3374"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3374"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3374"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}