Woodpecker Shot at a Slow Shutter Speed

This image, shot by a photographer unknown to me, allegedly shows a wryneck (Jynx torquilla) pecking away at a tree branch. The head looks like a spindle, doesn't it?

-via TYWKIWDBI


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Following up on my research: From Wikipedia.

"These birds get their English name from their ability to turn their heads almost 180 degrees. When disturbed at the nest, they use this snake-like head twisting and hissing as a threat display. This odd behaviour led to their use in witchcraft, hence to put a "jinx" on someone."

Thus, it is a threat display and not food searching.
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Having just watched a few slow motion videos of woodpeckers, it can be seen that if the bird was pecking, its body would be moving as well as its head. This might be one looking left and right for where it will peck next.
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