Bohemian Waxwing
Bombycilla garrulus
Conservation Status
Least ConcernAves · Passeriformes · Bombycillidae
About
The Bohemian waxwing is a starling-sized passerine bird that breeds in the northern forests of the Palearctic and North America. It has mainly buff-grey plumage, black face markings and a pointed crest. Its wings are patterned with white and bright yellow, and some of the wing feathers have red tips, the resemblance of which to sealing wax gives these birds their common name. The two or three subspecies show only minor differences in appearance. Females are similar to males, although young birds are less well-marked and have few or no waxy wingtips. Although the Bohemian waxwing's range overlaps those of the cedar and Japanese waxwings, it is easily distinguished from them by size and plumage differences.
Fun Fact
Bohemian Waxwings are famous 'irruptive' winter visitors that descend in enormous flocks when berry crops fail in Scandinavia—their waxy wing-tips are used in mate selection.
Quick Facts
Habitat
Range extending southwards beyond the US border in the Rocky Mountains.
Diet
Eat huge numbers of berries, each bird sometimes consuming several hundred a day, more than double its own weight.
Lifespan
5 years
Threats
- Habitat Change
- Human Disturbance