This book considers the natural history and cultural symbolism of a most unusual woodpecker – a species that neither excavates nest holes in trees, nor bores into wood to find insect prey. The Wryneck is best renowned for performing a twisting, writhing head and neck display when threatened, but this ground-breaking work reveals many more secrets of its behaviour and evolution. Detailed information is presented on the species’ origins, taxonomy, anatomy, appearance, moult, calls, distribution, conservation status, habitats, movements, breeding, diet and relationships, along with a chapter on its closest relative, the Red-throated Wryneck.
The text is richly illustrated throughout with high quality photographs as well as sound spectrograms. The author augments his many hours watching Wrynecks with comprehensive literature research, creating what is surely the definitive volume on the species. This all-encompassing and engaging account has been written for a wide audience, whether professional ornithologist, citizen scientist, amateur birder, woodpecker aficionado or simply someone who wishes to learn more about this curious and remarkable bird.
Daftar Isi
About the author
Acknowledgements
Preface
1. Origins and Taxonomy
2. Anatomy and Morphology
3. Description and Identification
4. Moult, Ageing and Sexing
5. The Red-throated Wryneck
6. Communication
7. Distribution, Trends and Status
8. Habitats
9. Challenges and Conservation
10. Behaviour
11. Flight, Movements and Migration
12. Breeding
13. Cavities
14. Foraging and Food
15. Relationships
16. Folklore, Mythology and Symbolism
References
Index
Tentang Penulis
Gerard Gorman is a global authority on the Picidae. He has published numerous papers and six previous books on this fascinating family of birds, including Woodpeckers of the World: The Complete Guide (Helm 2014), The Wryneck (Pelagic Publishing 2022) and The Green Woodpecker (Pelagic Publishing 2023). For the past 30 years he has travelled the world studying woodpeckers, believing that time in the field is the only way to really get to know them. In his recent books, the author augments many hours watching wrynecks and green woodpeckers with comprehensive literature research, creating what will surely be the definitive works on the two species. Gorman lives in Budapest and is a founder member and current leader of the Hungarian Woodpecker Group.
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