Eurasian Wryneck – A woodpecker which is unlike any…

A woodpecker unlike any other - Eurasian Wryneck
Eurasian Wryneck

Eurasian Wrynecks are somewhat uncommon in Nagpur. They are winter visitors to India and till very recently I did not know that they are actually woodpeckers because they are unlike any other woodpeckers.

Woodpeckers don’t migrate or fly long distances – Eurasian Wryneck flies all the way from Europe to India, Woodpeckers are seen climbing vertical tree trunks, tapping the bark, excavating nests – Eurasian Wryneck does not do any of these things. Most Woodpeckers have pointed tail feathers – this one does not!

But Wrynecks are Woodpeckers! They have, like other woodpeckers a very long tongue for groping out insects from hard to reach places. Their toes are placed two toes pointing to the front and two pointing to the back (the scientific term is zygodactylly) and their call is somewhat comparable to other woodpeckers. Apart for some characteristics like the ones mentioned Wrynecks don’t look like Woodpeckers at all and are therefore placed in their own Genus. The Genus consists of two Species. The Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla and the African Rufous-Necked Wryneck Jynx ruficollis

Eurasian Wryneck - look carefully at the toes, 2 point backwards
Eurasian Wryneck - look carefully at the toes, 2 point backwards

Why is the Wryneck called such – just see the video to know 😉 I personally have never seen this behavior and don’t know if it is typical only during the breeding season or something like that… If you have any more information do leave a comment.


  • Oh interesting to know and see your blog. Nice picture too . Is it taken by you ?

    • tariquesani

      Yes, the pictures are taken by me.

      • Wow great .. Awesome .. And you may not need to spend some $$ for buying images 😉 .