• The Eurasian wryneck’s tail cannot serve as support on a vertical tree trunk because it is slightly curved and consists only of soft steering feathers. Therefore, the bird forages while sitting on branches or on the ground.

The Eurasian wryneck has grey-brown feathers with dark stripes that effectively camouflage the species against tree bark and branches. The adult possesses a short, strong beak which aids in capturing insects, and a flexible neck allowing for a wide range of head movements to inspect surroundings and deter predators. The young have downy feathers covering their bodies, a rare type of plumage. An adult’s long, sticky tongue is used to extract ants from narrow passages.