species family species mainly breeds temperate regions europe asia populations migratory tropical africa southern asia iran resident northwestern africa bird open countryside woodland measure length bills shorter dagger like barred shades pale brown bars wider black streaks cream spotted brown chief prey ants insects find decaying wood ground eggs white case birds nest holes clutch seven eggs laid june birds english ability turn heads degrees disturbed nest use snake like head twisting threat display odd behaviour led use taxonomy etymology described tenth edition type species came sweden genus ancient greek bird specific derived twist referring strange snake head movements bird charm bring lover bird tied piece string english refers twisting movement recorded family based morphology behaviour considered sister clade confirmed phylogenetic analysis placed basal includes genus species red resident sub africa subspecies description grows length subspecies weighs slim elongated looking bird body shape like barred shades pale brown bars wider black streaks upper tail grey irregular bands brown rounded tail grey brown faint bands brown clearly defined bands brownish black throat buff barred brown white brown markings shaped like arrow heads reduced spots lower breast belly flanks buff similar markings tail buff narrow brown bars brown buff markings brown long slender broad base sharp tip slender legs feet pale brown second toes shorter fourth toes point backwards second point forwards good arrangement vertical surfaces series repeated harsh notes lasting seconds reminiscent voice lesser spotted alarm short series disturbed nest distribution habitat distribution breeding range nominate subspecies includes europe britain north reaches range includes spain southwest south east smaller reddish brown found italy parts balkans smaller nominate form light whitish throat breast resident algeria morocco possibly parts sicily considerably paler nominate markings occurs wide strip asia southern siberia including north western pacific_coast breeds eastern siberia northeastern central china breeds pakistan northwestern inhabit island japan coastal areas southern china european undertake long distance area european species located south wide strip africa extending west east southern limit extends populations use areas central east asian breeding birds winter indian southern including southern japan summer bird found open countryside gardens especially old trees inhabit deciduous woodland scandinavia occurs coniferous forests behaviour forms small groups migration winter quarters summer usually found pairs holds head high pointing slightly upwards mutual display occurs time year involves birds facing heads far wide open heads head allowed slump sideways hang occasions excited head shaken twisted violently disturbed nest held hand neck twists directions bird death hangs eyes closed returning breeding area migration birds set territories farmland switzerland found old pear large numbers nests selected areas vegetable cultivation provided useful habitat include areas bare ground birds forage territories chosen random arriving birds favoured certain areas territories year year presence vicinity positive influence general older ones particular provide favoured territories probably dense foliage likely support high numbers ground beneath vegetation cover factors increase availability ants birds main prey despite territories consistently chosen reproductive success territories higher limiting factors nesting species availability nesting sites number ants ease discovery modern farming practices removal forest patches isolated trees increasing use birds diet consists chiefly ants beetles larvae spiders eaten time spent upper branches trees bird low bushes ground moving short tail held raised position tree moving pressing tail surface prop holes bark picks prey rapid extension tongue catches insects wing flight slow breeding nesting site variable pre existing hole tree trunk wall hole bank sand martin nesting box search safe protected site reach predators previous eggs uses nesting material clutch normally seven eggs laid occasionally eggs average millimetres weigh dull white colour partially sexes involved takes days female plays greater parents feed chicks days usually single brood status iucn lists concern red list threatened species world population estimated million individual birds wide geographical range population decreasing certain extent rate bird reach threshold threatened category continental europe largest populations spain italy germany poland romania hungary ukraine romania population trend believed upward russia believed individuals population trend unknown united_kingdom numbers bird decrease protected schedule listed convention protected migratory species european_union
Eurasian wryneck