Jynx torquilla

Interesting facts: The small woodpecker, which is rather thrush-like, spends unlike the other woodpeckers its winter in the Sahel-zone. There, it nests, for instance, in a vacant breeding burrow. Its food, mostly ants, gets taken up from the ground with the sticky tongue. The wry neck owes its name to its conspicuous movements and noises when threatened. With upright body, the head is turned and twisted. The tongue can also be thrown forward. This behaviour, which is accompanied by hissing noises, is also called snake mimicry.

Characteristics: Beige-brown-grey camouflage plumage on the upper side (reminiscent of tree bark), abdomen beige-white

Body length: Less than 20 cm (sparrow length)