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Bohemian Waxwing
(Bombycilla garrulus)
 German name(s): "Seidenschwanz"
Size: 19-23 cm; wing span 32-35.5 cm
Weight: 55 g (average)
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Physical description |
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 Click here for a physical description
Bohemian Waxwings are about
Starling-sized birds with a predominantly rufous head and
otherwise brownish-grey
plumage.
They have a prominent rufous to greyish-rufous crest, contrasting
black eyebrows, black throat, small white markings under the eyes
and a light-grey bill. The front, from chest to undertail coverts,
is grey, with a light pinkish/rufous tinge. The back, including
the upperwings, is a darker shade of grey. The tail is dark-grey.
The dark-grey flight feathers have conspicuous white bars and a
red, waxy patch that gives them their name.
The irises are black, the legs and feet are dark-grey.
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Taxonomy, classification |
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See Bohemian
Waxwing at Wikipedia  .
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Range, habitat, finding this species |
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Click here for information on habitat
and range
The overall distribution of this species can be assessed, and
specific locations where birds have been spotted can be found,
based on individual sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to
ebird.org
.
The global distribution of the Bohemian Waxwing is available
HERE
.
There are 3 races of Bohemian Waxwings, which together populate
wide swaths of Europe, Asia and North America. They are found
from central Europe, via the Russian tundra towards the Pacific
coastline of Russia, China and Japan. Across the Bering Sea,
they are also found in southern Alaska, southern Canada and the
northern and mid-western US (for details see a field guide).
They are migratory, breeding in the northern parts of their
range and spending the winters farther South.
Within that overall range, Bohemian Waxwings, nominate race
"garrulus",
are found as winter visitors in northern, central and parts of western
Europe (including the British Isles), to the West of the Ural mountains.
They are permanent residents in the highlands of northern Scandinavia.
Bohemian Waxwings have a preference for coniferous forest/woodland,
usually near water.
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Sightings |
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Click here for sighting information
Race "garrulus"
D. Wilczynska reports spotting Bohemian Waxwings, nominate race
"garrulus",
at Biebrza National Park, Poland, in January 2009.
All sighting and photographic information presented on this page
has kindly been contributed by D. Wilczynska.
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Photos |
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Race "garrulus"
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ADULT |
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Pair of Bohemian Waxwings in a tree with Mistletoe in it (photo
courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[Biebrza National Park, Poland, January 2009]
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Food, Diet |
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During the breeding season, Bohemian Waxwinges feed mainly on insects,
but in winter they specialize in taking various berries. One of the
berries they feed on is that of the Mistletoe. Fruit is passed through
the digestive system with live seeds, making Bohemian Waxwings
propagators of Mistletoe.
Pair of Bohemian Waxwings in a tree with Mistletoe; they feed on the
berries, thereby propagating Mistletoe (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[Biebrza National Park, Poland, January 2009]
These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our
contributors.
The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species
please refer to a field guide.
Breeding
Nest
Eggs
Behaviour
Call/s
