Jynx torquilla -- Linnaeus, 1758 ANIMALIA -- CHORDATA -- AVES -- PICIFORMES -- PICIDAE Common names: Eurasian Wryneck; European Wryneck; Torcol; Wryneck European Red List Assessment European Red List Status LC -- Least Concern, (IUCN version 3.1) Assessment Information Year published: 2015 Date assessed: 2015-03-31 Assessor(s): BirdLife International Reviewer(s): Symes, A. Compiler(s): Ashpole, J., Burfield, I., Ieronymidou, C., Pople, R., Wheatley, H. & Wright, L. Assessment Rationale European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC) EU27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC) In Europe this species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence 10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). The population trend appears to be increasing, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (30% decline over ten years or three generations). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern in Europe. Within the EU27 this species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence 10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). The population trend appears to be increasing, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (30% decline over ten years or three generations). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern in the EU27. Occurrence Countries/Territories of Occurrence Native: Albania; Andorra; Austria; Azerbaijan; Belarus; Belgium; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Bulgaria; Croatia; Cyprus; Czech Republic; Denmark; Estonia; Finland; France; Georgia; Germany; Greece; Hungary; Italy; Latvia; Liechtenstein; Lithuania; Luxembourg; Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of; Malta; Moldova; Montenegro; Netherlands; Norway; Poland; Portugal; Romania; Russian Federation; Serbia; Slovakia; Slovenia; Spain; Sweden; Switzerland; Turkey; Ukraine; United Kingdom; Gibraltar (to UK) Vagrant: Faroe Islands (to DK); Iceland; Ireland, Rep. of Population The European population is estimated at 674,000-1,600,000 pairs, which equates to 1,350,000-3,200,000 mature individuals. The population in the EU27 is estimated at 287,000-727,000 pairs, which equates to 574,000-1,450,000 mature individuals. For details of national estimates, see Supplementary PDF. Trend In Europe and the EU27 the population size is estimated to be increasing. For details of national estimates, see Supplementary PDF. Habitats and Ecology This species is widespread over most of lowland Europe, and also occurs in low numbers in mountainous areas. Breeding occurs in a variety of forest-types, from dry pine (Pinus) stands to riparian forest. Dense forest blocks are avoided, the birds tending to settle along south-facing forest edges, or in clear-felled or burned patches. Where summers are relatively cold or humid, localities with dry sandy soil are preferred (Tucker and Heath 1994). It is territorial and partners display by head-swinging with ruffled head feathers. Laying occurs from May to June. The nest-site is selected by both sexes and is usually in a natural cavity, an old hole of another woodpecker, or an artificial nestbox. Typically seven to twelve eggs are laid (Winkler and Christie 2002). It feeds mostly on the larvae and pupae of ants. In northern areas or during bad weather insects, spiders, even tadpoles and berries may be fed to young (Tucker and Heath 1994). Across most of its range, it is fully migratory and winters mainly in south of the Sahara and occasionally in the Mediterranean basin (Hagemeijer and Blair 1997). Habitats & Altitude Habitat (level 1 - level 2) Importance Occurrence Artificial/Terrestrial - Arable Land suitable breeding Artificial/Terrestrial - Arable Land suitable non-breeding Artificial/Terrestrial - Pastureland suitable breeding Artificial/Terrestrial - Plantations suitable breeding Artificial/Terrestrial - Plantations suitable non-breeding Artificial/Terrestrial - Rural Gardens suitable breeding Artificial/Terrestrial - Rural Gardens suitable non-breeding Artificial/Terrestrial - Urban Areas suitable breeding Artificial/Terrestrial - Urban Areas suitable non-breeding Forest - Boreal suitable breeding Forest - Temperate major breeding Grassland - Temperate suitable breeding Grassland - Temperate suitable non-breeding Marine Coastal/Supratidal - Coastal Brackish/Saline Lagoons/Marine Lakes suitable non-breeding Marine Coastal/Supratidal - Coastal Freshwater Lakes suitable non-breeding Shrubland - Mediterranean-type Shrubby Vegetation suitable breeding Shrubland - Mediterranean-type Shrubby Vegetation suitable non-breeding Altitude max. 1600 m Occasional altitudinal limits Threats Declines have been attributed to climatic changes, resulting in increased rainfall during the breeding season (Hagemeijer and Blair 1997, Winkler and Christie 2002). Since the 1950s, the loss of important habitats such as orchards and unimproved meadows and the replacement of hardwoods with conifers have also caused declines and the conversion of many areas to agriculture combined with an increase in the use of pesticides have also decreased the abundance of ants (Tucker and Heath 1994). Threats & Impacts Threat (level 1) Threat (level 2) Impact and Stresses Agriculture & Agro-industry Timing Scope Severity Impact aquaculture farming Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Slow, Significant Medium Impact Declines Stresses Ecosystem conversion; Indirect ecosystem effects Agriculture & Agro-industry Timing Scope Severity Impact aquaculture plantations Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Slow, Significant Medium Impact Declines Stresses Ecosystem conversion Climate change & Other impacts Timing Scope Severity Impact severe weather Ongoing Whole (>90%) Slow, Significant Medium Impact Declines Stresses Indirect ecosystem effects Pollution Herbicides and Timing Scope Severity Impact pesticides Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Slow, Significant Medium Impact Declines Stresses Indirect ecosystem effects Conservation Conservation Actions Underway Bern Convention Appendix II. It is listed as a priority species in the U.K. Biodiversity Action Plan. Conservation Actions Proposed The use of pesticides should be reduced in agricultural areas and orchards and low-intensity management techniques applied to meadows, pastures and orchards in order to help sustain ant populations. These habitats should also be preserved from conversion to intensively managed open fields or commercial forestry plantations. In addition suitable nest-sites in woods and along forest edges should be protected and where nest- sites are limiting, nest boxes should be erected (Tucker and Heath 1994). Bibliography Winkler, H. and Christie, D.A. 2002. Eurasian Wryneck (Jynx torquilla). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. and de Juana, E. (eds.). 2014. Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from http://www.hbw.com/node/56121 on 2 March 2015). Hagemeijer, W.J.M. and Blair, M.J. 1997. The EBCC Atlas of European Breeding Birds: Their Distribution and Abundance. T and A D Poyser, London. Tucker, G.M. and Heath, M.F. 1994. Birds in Europe: their conservation status. BirdLife Conservation Series no. 3, BirdLife International, Cambridge. Map (see overleaf) .