Red-throated Wryneck

Afrikaans name: Draaihals

Red-throated Wryneck

Photo © Steven Herbert

Jynx ruficollis

The Red-throated Wryneck is a member of the Woodpecker family but it feeds only on termites and ants. Much of its time is spent on the ground rather than in trees.

It is found in the eastern half of South Africa as well as a few other places in sub-Saharan Africa.

Red-throated Wrynecks make their nests in cavities in trees. They use a hole made by other birds such as Barbets. They normally lay 3 or 4 eggs which are attended to by both the male and female.

Its preferred habitat is grassland with scattered trees.

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	453	Jynx ruficollis ruficollis
2nd	453	Jynx ruficollis
3rd	453	Jynx ruficollis
4th	453	Jynx ruficollis
5th	489	Jynx ruficollis
6th	489	Jynx ruficollis
7th	50	Jynx ruficollis

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	453	South African Wryneck
2nd	453	Red-breasted Wryneck
3rd	453	Red-throated Wryneck
4th	453	Red-throated Wryneck
5th	489	Redthroated Wryneck
6th	489	Redthroated Wryneck
7th	50	Red-throated Wryneck

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	453	Afrikaanse-draaihals
2nd	453	Draaihals
3rd	453	Draaihals
4th	453	Draaihals
5th	489	Draaihals
6th	489	Draaihals
7th	50	Draaihals

References and further reading

The Sandton Field Guide - Author: Sandton Nature Conservation Society - Published: 1982 - Page: 54

Wild About Johannesburg - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 1995 - Page: 48

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 187

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 76

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 268

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 280

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 423

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 420

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 326

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 243

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 312

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 270

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 36

Meeting with Birds - Author: Tom Spence - Published: 1986 - Page: 76

More Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: P. Ginn & G. McIlleron - Published: 1981 - Page: 43

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 270

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 194

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 136

Gardening with Birds - Author: Tom Spence - Published: 1988 - Page: 56

Garden Birds in South Africa - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2017 - Page: 77

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 161

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 49

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 82

Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Published: 1992 - Page: 63

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 91

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 91

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 179

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 195

BirdLife South Africa

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