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Bohemian waxwing
It's a migratory bird that you can easily recognize by its distinctive coloring - most of its plumage is gray-brown, with wings adorned with white stripes and accents of red and black. The area around the eye and under the beak is black. Another distinctive feature is the triangular feathered crest and the yellow tail tip. This unique appearance makes it unlikely for you to mistake the Bohemian waxwing for another bird.
Where do Bohemian waxwings live?
What does the Bohemian waxwing eat and where does it build its nest?
During the breeding season, it feeds on insects, while in autumn and winter, it primarily feeds on plants, especially rowan berries, berries, mistletoe fruits, and others depending on their availability. Due to its consumption of sweet fruits, it's susceptible to alcohol poisoning – although the waxwing's liver efficiently neutralizes ethanol, cases of fatal poisoning occur in birds when the sugar from fruits ferments.
Waxwings build carefully crafted cup-shaped nests from twigs, grass, and moss, lined with lichens. They construct these nests on shrubs and trees, often near trunks and branches. They lay about 5 blue eggs in them, which hatch after two weeks of incubation, and the chicks become fledglings after a similar period.
Bohemian Waxwing - facts about winter birds
- With age, Bohemian Waxwings develop more red tips on their wings.
- The abundant plumage of Bohemian Waxwings helps them survive in winter conditions.
- Bohemian Waxwings contribute to plant dispersal by excreting undigested food remnants (berries and fruits) during their flight.
- Undigested remnants of the waxwing's diet excreted by Bohemian Waxwings stick to trees, contributing to the spread of parasites in the surrounding vegetation.
- During winter, the liver of Bohemian Waxwings enlarges, improving digestion and enabling the birds to consume food that weighs twice as much as they do!
Listen to the voice
Gadgets with an illustration of the Bohemian Waxwing
The Bohemian Waxwing is a symbol of perseverance and inner strength. It stands out with its unique coloring, which is why it has many enthusiasts among ornithology enthusiasts. In my collection, there are illustrations featuring its image – you can find them on posters and bookmarks.
View products with Bohemian Waxwing illustration
Bohemian waxwing - Additional Information
Bohemian waxwing
Bombycilla garrulus
Family
Bohemian Waxwings
Locations of Occurrence
In Poland, associated with groves, parks, and deciduous forests
Food
During the breeding season, it mainly feeds on insects, while in autumn and winter, it consumes berries and fruits
Population
An average or infrequent migratory and wintering bird
Migrations
Migratory. In our country, it stays from October to April
Breeding
5-6 bluish, spotted eggs. Incubation takes 14-15 days. The young birds become fledged at around 14-15 days of age
