The Eurasian Wryneck is a hole-nester but does not excavate its own nest holes. Instead it uses natural tree cavities, old woodpecker holes or nest boxes with a sufficiently large entrance hole — see the section on nest boxes below. The female lays a large clutch, often 7–10 eggs, which are incubated for about 11–14 days. When the nest is threatened, both young and adults twist their head and neck in a snake-like manner, a behaviour thought to frighten off predators.