Their first appearance was in Donkey Kong Country where they were common enemies who attack Donkey and Diddy Kong by swooping at them, they can be defeated by jumping on them or throwing a Barrel at them. They also appear in Donkey Kong Land.

Their sub-species, Mini-Neckies, are actually considered more threatening due to the fact that they spit coconut projectiles instead of simply flying along a set path.

Although this is true, there is another type of Necky that throws coconut projectiles instead of spitting them out, which is the Perched Necky. They appear many times in these levels: Vulture Culture, Trick Track Trek & Necky Nutmare (GBC version only).

They do not make an appearance in Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest or Donkey Kong Land 2, but their instead, their sub-species, Mini-Neckies appear and a Mini-Necky boss called Krow makes an appearance. Neckies do not make any appearances at all in Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! and Donkey Kong Land III, only Swoopy being remotely similar to it, as they fly in straight patterns.