Eurasian Wryneck (Jynx torquilla)

Context

The Eurasian Wryneck, a member of the woodpecker family, was recently sighted at Nanjarayan Tank, a Ramsar site in Tamil Nadu.

Description

• Alternate Name: Northern Wryneck.
• Taxonomy: Part of the woodpecker family, known for its unique features and behaviors.
• Habitat: Prefers open countryside, woodland, and orchards.

Distribution and Migration

• Breeding Grounds: Found in temperate regions across Europe and Asia.
• Migration: Most populations migrate to tropical Africa and southern Asia for winter, ranging from Iran to the Indian subcontinent.

Unique Features

• Bill: Shorter and less dagger-like compared to other woodpeckers.
• Head Movement: Can rotate their heads nearly 180 degrees, inspiring their English name, “wryneck.”

Diet

Primarily feeds on ants and other insects found in decaying wood or on the ground.

Defensive Behavior

• When threatened at their nests, these birds exhibit a distinctive snake-like head twisting and hissing display.
• This behavior historically linked them to witchcraft, coining the term “jinx.”

Conservation Note

Spotting such a species at Nanjarayan Tank highlights the ecological significance of Ramsar sites in supporting diverse avian fauna.