Red-throated Wryneck (Jynx ruficollis)
About the Red-throated Wryneck
The red-throated wryneck (Jynx ruficollis), also known as the rufous-necked wryneck or red-breasted wryneck, is a species of wryneck in the woodpecker family closely related to the Eurasian wryneck. Its three subspecies are resident in much of sub-Saharan Africa in open habitats with some trees. It is a slim, elongated bird about 19 cm (7.5 in) in length, with a small head, fine bill, long fan-shaped tail and cryptic plumage intricately patterned in greys and browns. The sexes look similar, although males are slightly larger. The diet of the adults and young is almost entirely ants at all stages of their life cycles. The call of the red-throated wryneck is a series of repeated harsh, shrill notes. When threatened, a bird will twist its neck and head in a snake-like manner while making a hissing sound, presumably to deter predators.
No audio on this page yet
We only publish recordings we may use commercially, because this site is supported by ads. xeno-canto lists 83 recordings for this species: 6 CC BY-NC-SA. None of them permits commercial use, so there is no player here — the page is kept as a profile so the bird is not missing from the guide.
As soon as someone uploads a freely licensed recording, we mirror it and the player appears here.
Listed as recorded in Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda in the xeno-canto catalogue.
Related species you can hear
- Eurasian WryneckJynx torquillarecording
This species has no recording here yet — these relatives do, so you can hear what the family sounds like.