What distinguishes the Eurasian Wryneck (*Jynx torquilla*) regarding movement compared to most European woodpeckers?

Answer

It is migratory, traveling significant distances between breeding grounds and wintering sites.

A key characteristic that sets the Eurasian Wryneck apart from many of its European woodpecker relatives is its migratory behavior. While many woodpeckers found in Europe are largely sedentary, *Jynx torquilla* undertakes long-distance seasonal movements. Populations that breed across Europe and Asia travel substantial distances southward when autumn arrives. European breeders typically migrate to sub-Saharan Africa for the winter, while Asian populations head toward South Asia. This migratory status means their presence in northern or central Europe is strictly seasonal, which contrasts sharply with the year-round residency of many other members of the woodpecker family in those regions.

What distinguishes the Eurasian Wryneck (*Jynx torquilla*) regarding movement compared to most European woodpeckers?

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