Waxwings · Perching birds
Bohemian Waxwing
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Bombycilla garrulus
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Voice
Song
Doug Hynes
How to recognize it
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Starling-sized, stocky, short-tailed, with a pointed crest
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Buff-grey body, black face mask and black throat
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Black wings with white and yellow pattern; adults show red waxy wingtips
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Fast, direct flight in flocks; often feeding on rowan in towns in winter
About the species
The Bohemian Waxwing has a soft, muted look, with a neat crest and a calm, almost powdered appearance. It stands out more for its smooth shape and tidy movements than for any single bright detail.
It usually travels in flocks, moving fast and straight in flight. Its voice is a thin, high trill, and when a flock lifts off or lands, the wings make a dry rattling sound that is easy to notice.
In summer it takes insects and berries, sometimes catching insects on the wing. In colder months it turns to rowan and other fruits, which is why it often shows up in cities, parks, and gardens in winter.
Where to find
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In winter city streets with rowan or viburnum plantings — flocks strip the berries and hop from one crown to the next.
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In mature parks with tall conifers and mixed trees, listen high in the canopy for a thin, ringing whistle and rustling movement.
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Along canal banks, pond edges, and damp thickets near trees — waxwings drop in to take berries and pause briefly on exposed branches.
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On broad courtyards and avenues with berry shrubs — especially on frosty mornings, when a tight flock feeds fast and lifts off together.
You might also see
Sources
- eBird — Bombycilla garrulus Sightings map and full description on eBird
- Wikipedia — Bohemian waxwing Encyclopedia article