Bohemian Waxwing

Overview

The Bohemian waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus) is a starling-sized passerine bird that breeds in the northern forests of the Palearctic and North America. It is classified as being of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Identification

• Starling-sized, short-tailed bird, 19–23 cm long, with a conspicuous head crest.
• Mainly buff-grey plumage with a rich chestnut lower belly, a black mask through the eye, and a black throat.
• Wings feature black flight feathers with a yellow stripe and white 'fishhooks'; the secondaries end in long, red, sealing wax-like appendages.
• High trill call described as 'sirrrr', less wavering and lower-pitched than that of the cedar waxwing.

Habitat

Breeds in mature coniferous forests, usually near water, across northern regions of Eurasia and North America. In winter, it migrates south, occupying a wide range of habitats including towns, gardens, parks, and woodland edges where suitable fruit is available.

Diet

Primarily fruit eaters in winter, consuming insects particularly during the breeding season. Rowan berries are a particular favourite, and birds may consume several hundred berries a day. They forage in large flocks, flycatching insects from open perches or picking fruit from trees.

Did you know?

Waxwings can metabolise alcohol produced in fermenting fruit but can still become intoxicated, sometimes fatally. They can eat such huge quantities of berries that one individual was recorded defecating every four minutes.