# Eurasian Wryneck (*Jynx torquilla*) The Eurasian Wryneck is a special bird that can twist its neck like a snake! It has a beautiful brown and gray pattern that helps it hide in trees. This bird loves to eat ants and beetles. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Forests ![Eurasian Wryneck](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Jynx_torquilla_%2834536504885%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Donald Hobern from Copenhagen, Denmark, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jynx_torquilla_%2834536504885%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Eurasian Wryneck is a small, slender bird with cryptic, mottled grey, brown, and rufous plumage, featuring intricate barred and streaked patterns. It has a distinctive dark stripe running from its eye down its neck, and a long tail. Its soft colours help it blend perfectly with tree bark. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Piciformes - **Family:** Picidae - **Genus:** Jynx ## Interesting facts - During migration, wrynecks often fly alone, traveling long distances over land and sea! - Sometimes, they visit gardens in autumn, fattening up for their amazing journey south! - Their eggs are surprisingly pure white, often hidden deep inside dark tree cavities. - Unlike other woodpeckers, wrynecks prefer to nest in ready-made holes, not drilling their own! ## Special abilities - **Head Spinner:** Eurasian Wryneck can turn its head nearly 180 degrees to scan for predators or find hidden insects. - **Snake Charmer:** Eurasian Wryneck has a unique defense display, twisting its neck and hissing to mimic a snake and scare off threats. - **Ant Eater:** Eurasian Wryneck has a long, sticky tongue to reach deep into ant nests, helping it catch its favorite insect prey. - **Master of Disguise:** Eurasian Wryneck has a patterned plumage that perfectly blends with tree bark, helping it hide from predators. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 16-18 cm - **Wingspan:** 25-30 cm - **Weight:** 0.03-0.05 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-10 years - **Speed:** 40 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 7-10 - **Incubation:** 11-14 days - **Migration Distance:** 4000 km ## Diet & Feeding Eurasian Wrynecks mainly gobble up ants and other insects using their super-sticky tongue! - **Primary Foods:** Ants, Ant larvae, Beetles, Caterpillars, Spiders - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Red Wood Ant (*Formica rufa*) — Major food source, found in nests. - **Eaten by:** [Eurasian Sparrowhawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eurasian-sparrowhawk) (*Accipiter nisus*) — A common predator of adult wrynecks. - **Depends on:** Common Starling (*Sturnus vulgaris*) — Competes for tree cavities for nesting. - **Hunts:** [Black Garden Ant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-garden-ant) (*Lasius niger*) — Eats larvae and adults from colonies. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Enjoy watching birds from a distance and don't disturb their nests. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Eurasian Wryneck? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Eurasian Wryneck? 16-18 cm ### What is Eurasian Wryneck's wingspan? 25-30 cm ### How much does Eurasian Wryneck weigh? 0.03-0.05 kg ### How long does Eurasian Wryneck live? 5-10 years ### How fast can Eurasian Wryneck move? 40 km/h ### What does Eurasian Wryneck eat? Eurasian Wrynecks mainly gobble up ants and other insects using their super-sticky tongue! ### Where is Eurasian Wryneck usually found? Forests ## Where to spot - [Wendland.Elbe Nature Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/wendland-elbe-nature-park) — Niedersachsen, DE · Park - [Naturpark Frankenhöhe](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/frankenhoehe-nature-park) — Bayern, DE · Park - [Serra da Enciña da Lastra Natural Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/serra-da-encina-da-lastra-natural-park) — Galicia, ES · Park [View all places to see Eurasian Wryneck](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/eurasian-wryneck) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Eurasian Wryneck: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eurasian-wryneck)