Red-throated Wryneck
Photo: Derek Keats (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dkeats) · CC BY 2.0

Woodpeckers

Red-throated Wryneck

Jynx ruficollis

LCLeast Concern
Family
Woodpeckers (Picidae)
Order
Piciformes

Overview

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.

Summary from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Range and habitat

Sources and further reading

Last updated September 29, 2026.