83. Wryneck

Some birds we are blessed with, others we are destined to always see on books and TV, or travel overseas in seach of them. One such group of birds is the woodpeckers, who live as close as Sicily but who will never make Malta their home as we lack the kind of woodland they need. There is, however, one errant member of the woodpecker family that migrates regularly, and that is the Wryneck (M: Bulebbiet). It is small, little bigger than a sparrow, with none of the green, red or striking piebald patterns of the other woodpeckers. Indeed, it is a master of brown-speckled cryptic plumage, and no way will you know it is there. Unless, that is, it decides to give vent to its distinctive call, which sounds like a short burst of cackling laughter. They you will know that a Wryneck on a tree near you is having its bit of spot-me-if-you-can fun at your expense.

Text by Victor Falzon, photo by Aron Tanti.

Copyright to Birdlife Malta.