Page 265 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

WOODPECKERS AND WRYNECK
Order Piciformes Family Picidae Species Jynx torquilla
Wryneck
short, slim,
pointed bill
pale grey
crown
barred long, dark
wings black-brown eye-stripe
central back
stripe
finely barred,
grey-brown upperparts bright buff
with complex throat
fine dark patterning
bars on pale
broad, grey tail
round-
tipped tail
pale spots
on wings
IN FLIGHT
somewhat aberrant
Awoodpecker, the
Wryneck can appear more
like a big warbler or small,
slim thrush at times, depending
on the circumstances. It moves
about on the ground, flits up into trees
or bushes, or slips through foliage, but also clambers around on thick
branches and trunks of trees, although it usually perches across
branches rather than upright like the more common woodpeckers.
At moderate range it is rather dull and inconspicuous, but close FLIGHT: usually short flights, slightly undulating,
views reveal both an intricate pattern and clean, bright golden-buff with flurries of quick beats.
colours. Once located, the Wryneck may often be
watched really closely for long periods, especially on
migration. Occasionally it may then turn up in
unexpected places such as parks and gardens.
VOICE Quick, repeated, nasal notes, kwee-kee-kee-kee-
kee-kee-kee, lower than Kestrel’s or Lesser Spotted
Woodpecker’s.
NESTING Existing hole in tree or wall; 7–10 eggs;
1, occasionally 2, broods; May–June.
FEEDING Often on ground, eating ants and ant
larvae; various other insects, spiders, woodlice, and
some berries.
OCCURRENCE
SIMILAR SPECIES Widespread but scarce in summer,
except in Iceland, Ireland, UK,
BARRED WARBLER 32; and N Scandinavia. Breeds in
see p.315
plainer farmed countryside with trees,
plainer above copses, and more extensive pine
upperparts
or mixed forest; migrants often
CRYPTIC COLOURS near coast. Scarce migrant in UK,
lacks RED-BACKED The mottled pattern of a Wryneck
bars on SHRIKE 2; chiefly in autumn.
wings perches more gives excellent camouflage against
openly; the bark of a tree and it can be Seen in the UK
see p.357 J F M A M J J AS O N D
very difficult to spot.
Length 16–17cm (6 1 ⁄2in) Wingspan 25–27cm (10–10 1 ⁄2in) Weight 30–45g (1 1 ⁄16 –1 5 ⁄8oz)
Social Solitary Lifespan 5–10 years Status Declining
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