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;[[:Category:Jynx|Jynx]] torquilla | ;[[:Category:Jynx|Jynx]] torquilla | ||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
| − | + | 16 - 18cm. An unusual, distinctive woodpecker. | |
| + | * Mottled grey and brown above | ||
| + | * Buffish-ochre breast dark vermiculated | ||
| + | * Whitish belly dark vermiculated | ||
| + | * Dark line through eye and down neck-side | ||
| + | * Broad dark line along centre of crown and back | ||
| + | * Short pointed bill | ||
| + | Sexes similar. | ||
| + | ====Similar species==== | ||
| + | [[Rufous-necked Wryneck]] has rufous on throat and breast and has streaked (not barred) flanks. | ||
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
Breeds widely across [[Europe]] from northern Iberia and western [[France]] east to the Urals, Caspian and north Caucasus and across temperate [[Asia]] to [[China]] and northern [[Japan]]. In the north virtually absent from [[British Isles]] but breeds over most of [[Scandinavia]] except the higher mountains and the far north, and across [[Russia]] south of 650N. Breeds south to the northern coast of the Mediterranean from north-east Spain to northern Greece and on [[Mallorca]], [[Ibiza]], [[Corsica]], [[Sardinia]] and [[Sicily]]. Also breeds sparingly in southern [[Portugal]] and in north [[Algeria]]. | Breeds widely across [[Europe]] from northern Iberia and western [[France]] east to the Urals, Caspian and north Caucasus and across temperate [[Asia]] to [[China]] and northern [[Japan]]. In the north virtually absent from [[British Isles]] but breeds over most of [[Scandinavia]] except the higher mountains and the far north, and across [[Russia]] south of 650N. Breeds south to the northern coast of the Mediterranean from north-east Spain to northern Greece and on [[Mallorca]], [[Ibiza]], [[Corsica]], [[Sardinia]] and [[Sicily]]. Also breeds sparingly in southern [[Portugal]] and in north [[Algeria]]. | ||
| − | Mainly a summer visitor but in the far south of range may be partially migratory or resident. Main autumn passage period is August-October, the return in April-May. Passage birds occur throughout Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and southern Asia. Winters in tropical [[Africa]], [[India]], South-East Asia, southern China and southern Japan. | + | Mainly a summer visitor but in the far south of range may be partially migratory or resident. Main autumn passage period is August-October, the return in April-May. Passage birds occur throughout Europe, North [[Africa]], the Middle East and southern [[Asia]]. Winters in tropical [[Africa]], [[India]], South-East [[Asia]], southern [[China]] and southern [[Japan]]. |
[[Image:Wendehals-im-Flug-a25060085 filtered.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by {{user|daniel31083|daniel31083}}<br />[[Bulgaria]]]] | [[Image:Wendehals-im-Flug-a25060085 filtered.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by {{user|daniel31083|daniel31083}}<br />[[Bulgaria]]]] | ||
Formerly a regular and fairly widespread breeder in Britain, now mainly a scarce passage migrant with 200-400 birds per year, mainly in August-October, with occasional summering birds and sporadic breeding records. Similar declines have been seen elsewhere in Europe, particularly in northern France and in North Sea countries. | Formerly a regular and fairly widespread breeder in Britain, now mainly a scarce passage migrant with 200-400 birds per year, mainly in August-October, with occasional summering birds and sporadic breeding records. Similar declines have been seen elsewhere in Europe, particularly in northern France and in North Sea countries. | ||
| Line 28: | Line 37: | ||
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
====Diet==== | ====Diet==== | ||
| − | + | Feeds mostly on ants, larvae and pupae, and other insects.<br /> | |
| + | Frequently forages on ground, occasionally in trees. | ||
====Breeding==== | ====Breeding==== | ||
| − | + | Breeding season from May to June, in south of range a second clutch is sometimes laid in June or July.<br /> | |
| + | Places the nest in an old woodpecker hole, a natural cavity or in a nest box. Lays 7 to 12 eggs. | ||
====Vocalisation==== | ====Vocalisation==== | ||
<flashmp3>Jynx torquilla (song).mp3</flashmp3><br /> | <flashmp3>Jynx torquilla (song).mp3</flashmp3><br /> | ||
''[[Media:Jynx torquilla (song).mp3|Listen in an external program]]'' | ''[[Media:Jynx torquilla (song).mp3|Listen in an external program]]'' | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
| − | #{{Ref-Clements6thDec10}}#Avibase | + | #{{Ref-Clements6thDec10}}#{{Ref-HBWVol7}}#Avibase |
#Woodpeckers of Europe: A Study of the European Picidae. Gerard Gorman. ISBN 1-872842-05-4 | #Woodpeckers of Europe: A Study of the European Picidae. Gerard Gorman. ISBN 1-872842-05-4 | ||
| − | |||
{{ref}} | {{ref}} | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
Revision as of 11:21, 29 January 2012
- Jynx torquilla
Identification
16 - 18cm. An unusual, distinctive woodpecker.
- Mottled grey and brown above
- Buffish-ochre breast dark vermiculated
- Whitish belly dark vermiculated
- Dark line through eye and down neck-side
- Broad dark line along centre of crown and back
- Short pointed bill
Sexes similar.
Similar species
Rufous-necked Wryneck has rufous on throat and breast and has streaked (not barred) flanks.
Distribution
Breeds widely across Europe from northern Iberia and western France east to the Urals, Caspian and north Caucasus and across temperate Asia to China and northern Japan. In the north virtually absent from British Isles but breeds over most of Scandinavia except the higher mountains and the far north, and across Russia south of 650N. Breeds south to the northern coast of the Mediterranean from north-east Spain to northern Greece and on Mallorca, Ibiza, Corsica, Sardinia and Sicily. Also breeds sparingly in southern Portugal and in north Algeria.
Mainly a summer visitor but in the far south of range may be partially migratory or resident. Main autumn passage period is August-October, the return in April-May. Passage birds occur throughout Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and southern Asia. Winters in tropical Africa, India, South-East Asia, southern China and southern Japan.
Formerly a regular and fairly widespread breeder in Britain, now mainly a scarce passage migrant with 200-400 birds per year, mainly in August-October, with occasional summering birds and sporadic breeding records. Similar declines have been seen elsewhere in Europe, particularly in northern France and in North Sea countries.
Accidental vagrant to Alaska (two records).
Taxonomy
Subspecies
There are 4 subspecies[1]:
- J. t. torquilla:
- J. t. tschusii:
- J. t. mauretanica:
- Northwest Africa
- J. t. himalayana:
In addition 3 further subspecies sarudnyi, chinensis and japonica are recognised by some authorities[2]
Habitat
Open woodland, deciduous or mixed, clearings and edges of forest, orchards, parks and large gardens. Nest in a tree-hole. Occurs in a range of more open habitats on passage including cultivated areas, close-cropped grassland, sand-dunes and shingle beaches.
Behaviour
Diet
Feeds mostly on ants, larvae and pupae, and other insects.
Frequently forages on ground, occasionally in trees.
Breeding
Breeding season from May to June, in south of range a second clutch is sometimes laid in June or July.
Places the nest in an old woodpecker hole, a natural cavity or in a nest box. Lays 7 to 12 eggs.
Vocalisation
<flashmp3>Jynx torquilla (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
References
- Clements, JF. 2010. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2010. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/Clements%206.5.xls/view
- Del Hoyo, J, A Elliot, and J Sargatal, eds. 2002. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 7: Jacamars to Woodpeckers. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8487334375
- Avibase
- Woodpeckers of Europe: A Study of the European Picidae. Gerard Gorman. ISBN 1-872842-05-4
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Eurasian Wryneck. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 3 June 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Eurasian_Wryneck
External Links
