Red-throated Wryneck/Draaihals

Photo Lynden Lund

The first time I encountered this feisty little fellow, was amongst the Bluegum trees of Kinnerman Park. Thick foliage made a clear sighting difficult. However, between the current cult of destroying this Australian “pest” and a desperate population looking for free fuel, the trees have become much thinner. The Red-throated Wryneck seemed to have deserted our area.

Then, late one afternoon last year, Gerda Swanepoel phoned me rather excitedly. Could I come to the farm and identify an unusual bird? As soon as we heard the distinctive call, a loud harsh week-week-week-week-week, it was easily identified as the male wryneck. I decided to lure him from the trees on the far side of the house by playing his call. This certainly got him going and he flew into a gum tree close by us. But he remained half-hidden, so I played his call again. The response sent us into helpless, muffled explosions of delight. Our wryneck was obviously convinced that another male had dared to trespass his territory. He launched out of cover, doing a little jig on the high branch and screamed in a temper tantrum. It was not so much a week-week as a cacophony of rage, up and down the bird musical scale! This was one of the most memorable bird sightings I have ever experienced.

We are delighted that the Red-throated Wryneck is still here and visits our garden daily. He is usually solitary or comes as a pair and is easily identified by the deep red throat and breast. He has a white and black streaked belly; greyish – brown back with a conspicuous irregular dark midline stripe; and greenish – grey bill and legs.

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