Bombycilla garrulus
The Bohemian Waxwing is a sleek, medium-sized bird with a distinctive crest and silky-smooth plumage. Its body is primarily soft grey, transitioning to cinnamon-brown on the head and under the tail. The wings are slate grey with striking white and yellow markings.
Adults have a black mask and throat, contrasting with a subtle yellow-tipped tail. The namesake waxy red tips on the wing feathers are more pronounced in older birds.
Females are similar to males, although they have fewer waxy wingtips. Females also have a narrower yellow band at the tail tip and a smaller, less clearly defined black chin patch. Juveniles lack these waxy tips and have a more muted overall coloration.
Length
19cm to 23cm
Wingspan
32cm to 35cm
Weight
55g to 80g
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Grey Brown
Secondary Colour
Black White Yellow Red
Beak Colour
Black
Leg Colour
Black
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Bohemian Waxwings breed in the boreal forests of North America and Eurasia, favoring open woodlands with a mix of deciduous and coniferous trees. During winter, they move southward in search of food, often appearing in urban areas and parklands.
In North America, they are winter visitors to the northern United States and southern Canada. In Europe, they can be seen in the UK and other parts of northern and central Europe during irruption years, when food scarcity drives them further south than usual.
Up to 2,000 meters
Subarctic, Temperate
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Bohemian Waxwing. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
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