Bohemian Waxwing

The Bohemian waxwing, Bombycilla garrulus, is a passerine bird of starling size, adorned with a distinctive crest and a striking plumage of buff-grey. Its black facial markings and pointed crest are complemented by wings patterned with white and bright yellow. The tips of some wing feathers are a vivid red, reminiscent of sealing wax, which is the origin of the bird's common name. Both sexes are similar in appearance, with the females being slightly less marked.

Identification Tips

This species can be identified by its black mask and throat, white streak behind the bill, and a white curve below the eye. The lower belly is chestnut, and the rump is grey, while the tail is tipped with a bright yellow band bordered by black. The wings are distinctive, with black flight feathers, yellow stripes, and white "fishhooks" on a closed wing. Red appendages at the end of the secondaries are a hallmark of adults.

Habitat

The Bohemian waxwing breeds in coniferous forests, often near water sources. It prefers mature conifers, such as spruce, and is found in lowlands, valleys, and uplands across its breeding range.

Distribution

This bird has a circumpolar distribution, breeding in the northern forests of the Palearctic and North America. It migrates southward for winter, with Eurasian birds wintering across Europe and Asia, and North American birds in southeast Canada and the north central and northeastern United States.

Behaviour

Bohemian waxwings are known for their irruptive migrations in search of fruit during winter. They can be very tame, entering towns and gardens. They roost communally in dense trees or hedges, sometimes alongside other wintering species.

Song & Calls

The call of the Bohemian waxwing is a high trill "sirrrr," less wavering and lower-pitched than that of the cedar waxwing. Variants of this call are used for different social interactions, including courtship and chick feeding.

Breeding

The Bohemian waxwing is monogamous and nests from mid-June to July. The nest is a cup of twigs lined with softer materials, placed in a tree or bush. The female incubates a clutch of 3–7 pale blue, spotted eggs for 13–14 days. Chicks are altricial and fed by both parents, fledge about 14–16 days after hatching, and are fed for about two weeks post-fledging.

Similar Species

The Bohemian waxwing can be distinguished from the smaller cedar waxwing by its size, plumage, and the absence of a white undertail. The Japanese waxwing also differs significantly in appearance, with a red tail band and distinct wing markings.

Diet and Feeding

Primarily frugivorous, waxwings consume large quantities of berries and can metabolize alcohol from fermenting fruit. They also feed on insects during the breeding season, catching them in flight or off vegetation.

Conservation status

The Bohemian waxwing is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a large population and extensive breeding range. There are no significant long-term threats to this species, as it can utilize disturbed habitats and is well north of major human populations.