Japanese Waxwing

Bombycilla japonica

Near Threatened
The Japanese Waxwing's striking crest and vibrant wing tips make it a standout in forests from Japan to Siberia.
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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Japanese Waxwing is a sleek, medium-sized bird with a distinctive crest and silky plumage. Its body is primarily greyish-brown, with a black mask and chin and a yellow-tipped tail. The wings feature striking white and yellow markings.

Both sexes look similar, with adults displaying bright red waxy tips on their secondary feathers. Juveniles lack these waxy tips and have a more muted overall colouration.

Size

Length

18cm to 21cm

Wingspan

32cm to 35cm

Weight

40g to 55g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Brown Grey

Secondary Colour

Red Yellow White

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Black

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Japanese Waxwing can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Japanese Waxwing is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Japanese Waxwing is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Japanese Waxwing is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Japanese Waxwing can be found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Japanese Waxwing is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Japanese Waxwing is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Japanese Waxwing is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Japanese Waxwing is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Japanese Waxwing is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Japanese Waxwing is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Japanese Waxwing is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Japanese Waxwings inhabit temperate broadleaf and mixed forests across northeastern Asia, including Japan, Korea, and parts of eastern Russia. They prefer areas with abundant berry-producing trees and shrubs.

During winter, they often move to lower elevations and can be found in urban parks and gardens, where ornamental fruit trees provide food. They are occasional vagrants to western Alaska.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 1,500 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subarctic

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Japanese Waxwing. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

  • Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
  • Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
  • This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

  • More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
  • How birds move around during different seasons
© 2024 - Birdfact
Resident
Breeding
Non-breeding
Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year
North Korea
Species that are present in the area during their breeding season
Russia
Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season
China Japan South Korea Taiwan
Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range
Hong Kong

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:
  • Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
  • Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
  • Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
  • Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
  • Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

  • 0-20: Very Low
  • 21-40: Low
  • 41-60: Average
  • 61-80: High
  • 81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 75

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

Japanese Waxwings display considerable agility, particularly in their acrobatic feeding behaviour. Their ability to pluck berries whilst maintaining balance and their adept flight skills in flocks suggest above-average agility for a passerine of their size.

Strength 40

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

Whilst not particularly strong for their size, Japanese Waxwings possess adequate strength for their lifestyle. Their ability to consume large quantities of berries and engage in 'gift-giving' behaviour during courtship indicates a moderate level of strength.

Adaptability 80

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

These birds show remarkable adaptability, thriving in various habitats from temperate forests to urban parks. Their capacity to process alcohol from fermented fruits and survive harsh winter conditions by altering their diet demonstrates high adaptability.

Aggressiveness 20

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Japanese Waxwings are known for their gentle and unhurried demeanour. Their highly social nature and lack of territorial aggression, even during breeding season, suggest a low level of aggressiveness.

Endurance 65

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

The endurance of Japanese Waxwings is noteworthy. Their ability to undertake short-distance migrations, survive in subarctic climates, and consume twice their body weight in berries daily indicates above-average endurance for a bird of their size.

Diet

Japanese Waxwings primarily feed on berries and small fruits, showing a particular fondness for mistletoe berries. They supplement their diet with insects, especially during the breeding season. Their ability to subsist on fermented berries allows them to survive harsh winter conditions.

Behaviour

Japanese Waxwings are highly social, often seen in flocks outside the breeding season. They exhibit a gentle, unhurried demeanour when foraging, plucking berries with deliberate movements. During courtship, pairs may pass small objects back and forth, a behaviour known as 'gift-giving'.

Vocalisation

Japanese Waxwings produce high-pitched, trilling calls that sound like 'sree-sree-sree'. Their vocalisations are often described as thin and reedy, lacking the complexity of many songbirds. In flight, they emit a soft, buzzy 'bzeee' sound, which helps maintain flock cohesion.

Nesting & Breeding

Breeding occurs from late May to July, with pairs forming monogamous bonds. Japanese Waxwings construct cup-shaped nests in trees, typically 3-10 meters above ground, using twigs, grass, and moss.

Females lay 3-5 pale blue eggs with dark spots. Both parents share incubation duties, which lasts about 14 days. The eggs are oval-shaped and have a smooth, slightly glossy surface.

Nestlings are altricial and fledge after approximately 14-16 days. Parents continue to feed the young for several weeks after they leave the nest.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Near Threatened [1]

Currently listed as Near Threatened, Japanese Waxwings face threats from habitat loss due to deforestation and urban development. Climate change may also affect their migration patterns and food availability. Conservation efforts focus on preserving their woodland habitats and urban green spaces.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

Unknown

Global Population Trend

[2]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

  • Look for flocks in fruiting trees, especially in winter
  • Listen for their high-pitched, trilling calls
  • Observe their distinctive silhouette with a prominent crest
  • Watch for their acrobatic feeding behaviour as they reach for berries

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Japanese Cedar Bird

Family:

Bombycillidae

Average Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Predators

Main predators include hawks, falcons, and occasionally larger owls. Nest predators may include corvids and small mammals.

Did You Know?

  1. Japanese Waxwings can eat twice their body weight in berries daily.
  2. They have a specialised liver that helps them process alcohol from fermented fruits.
  3. Their waxy wing tips are actually flattened feather shafts, not wax.

References

  1. 1 2

    website: BirdLife International. 2018. Bombycilla japonica. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22708150A131946490.

    View source

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