AI overview
The Eurasian Wryneck is a small woodpecker-related bird found across Europe and Asia that gets its name from its ability to twist its head and neck in unusual ways. It matters as an indicator of environmental health because its presence or absence in an area can signal changes in insect populations and habitat conditions that affect the broader ecosystem.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Wikidata facts
- Instance of
- taxon
- Parent taxon
- Jynx
- Award
- Bird of the Year
- Mass
- +37
- Image
- Jynx torquilla vlaskop cropped.jpg
Show 6 more facts
- P105
- species
- P141
- Least Concern
- P1343
- Pauly–Wissowa
- P9566
- diurnality
Article
The Eurasian wryneck or northern wryneck (Jynx torquilla) is a species of wryneck in the woodpecker family. It mainly breeds in temperate regions of Europe and Asia. Most populations are migratory, wintering in tropical Africa and in southern Asia from Iran to the Indian subcontinent, but some are resident in northwestern Africa. It is a bird of open countryside, woodland and orchards.
Eurasian wrynecks measure about 16–18 cm (6.3–7.1 in) in length and have bills shorter and less dagger-like than those of other woodpeckers. Their upperparts are barred and mottled in shades of pale brown with rufous and blackish bars and wider black streaks. Their underparts are cream speckled and spotted with brown. Their chief prey is ants and other insects, which they find in decaying wood or on the ground. The eggs are white as is the case with many birds that nest in holes and a clutch of seven to ten eggs is laid during May and June.