Bohemian waxwing

Bombycilla garrulus

The Bohemian waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus) is a starling-sized passerine bird that breeds in the northern forests of the Palearctic and North America.

Family: Bombycillidae Order: passerines Conservation: Least Concern

About the Bohemian waxwing

The Bohemian waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus) is a starling-sized passerine bird that breeds in the northern forests of the Palearctic and North America. It has mainly buff-grey plumage, black face markings and a pointed crest. Its wings are patterned with white and bright yellow, and some of the wing feathers have red tips, the resemblance of which to sealing wax gives these birds their common name. The two or three subspecies show only minor differences in appearance. Females are similar to males, although young birds are less well-marked and have few or no waxy wingtips. Although the Bohemian waxwing's range overlaps those of the cedar and Japanese waxwings, it is easily distinguished from them by size and plumage differences. The breeding habitat is coniferous forests, usually near water.

Fun Facts About Bohemian waxwing

The clutch of 3–7 eggs is incubated by the female alone for 13–14 days to hatching.
They fledge about 14–16 days after leaving the egg.
The large numbers and very large breeding area mean that it is classified as being of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
The breeding habitat is coniferous forests, usually near water.
The two or three subspecies show only minor differences in appearance.

Conservation Status

The Bohemian waxwing is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. This species is currently stable and not at significant risk of population decline.

View on IUCN Red List →

Taxonomy & Classification

Order	passerines
Family	Bombycillidae
Genus	Bombycilla
Species	Bombycilla garrulus

Range & Habitat