Waxwings: The Silky-Plumed Birds of the Northern Forests
Waxwings are a group of three passerine (perching) bird species belonging to the genus Bombycilla. Known for their striking appearance and smooth, silky plumage, these birds are easily recognized by their pale grey-brown coloration, distinctive black eyestripes, and pointed crests. Their most famous feature—small, red, wax-like tips on their wing feathers—gives them their common name, as these markings resemble traditional sealing wax.
These birds are primarily found in the northern regions of the world, inhabiting taiga forests and other wooded areas. While they are not long-distance migrants in the traditional sense, they are nomadic, moving in response to the availability of their primary food sources.
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Key Facts
- Species: There are three species: the Bohemian, Japanese, and Cedar waxwings.
- Distinctive Feature: Red tips on secondary wing feathers that look like sealing wax.
- Diet: Primarily insects in summer and a wide variety of fruits and berries in winter.
- Behavior: Nomadic movements rather than fixed long-distance migration.
- Social Structure: Often form large winter flocks numbering in the hundreds or thousands.
Taxonomy and Classification
Waxwings are the sole genus in the family Bombycillidae. While some taxonomists previously included other birds like silky flycatchers, palmchats, and the grey hypocolius in this family, these are now generally placed in separate families within the superfamily Bombycilloidea.
Etymology
The genus name Bombycilla was coined by Vieillot as a Latin translation of the German word Seidenschwänze, meaning "silktail." This was created by combining the Latin word bombyx (silk) with cilla, which Vieillot mistakenly believed meant "tail" based on his interpretation of the wagtail genus Motacilla.
Species Overview
The genus Bombycilla is divided into three distinct species, each with its own geographic range and conservation status.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Primary Range | IUCN Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bohemian Waxwing | B. garrulus | Northern Eurasia and North America | Least Concern (LC) |
| Japanese Waxwing | B. japonica | East Asia (Russia, China, Japan, Korea) | Near Threatened (NT) |
| Cedar Waxwing | B. cedrorum | United States and Mexico | Least Concern (LC) |
Physical Characteristics
Waxwings possess a unique, soft plumage where individual feathers are often not visible, creating a seamless look. Both males and females share the same plumage. Key physical traits include:
- Plumage: Pale grey-brown with a black line through the eye and a black patch under the chin.
- Wings and Tail: Pointed wings and a square-cut tail, often tipped with red or yellow.
- Features: A pointed crest on the head and blackish bills, eyes, and feet.
- The "Wax" Tips: The secondary wing feathers feature red tips where the shafts extend beyond the barbs. These are most prominent in adults of the Cedar and Bohemian species and are often absent in immature birds or the Japanese waxwing.
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Diet and Foraging Behavior
Waxwings are arboreal birds with a diet that shifts seasonally. During the spring and summer, they rely heavily on insects, which they capture by gleaning (picking insects off leaves) or by catching them in mid-air. They often nest near water to take advantage of the abundance of flying insects.
As summer turns to autumn and winter, their diet shifts to fruit. They consume a vast array of berries, including strawberries, mulberries, raspberries, blackberries, and cherries. In late autumn and winter, they rely on rowan berries (their most important food source), cotoneaster, viburnum, crabapples, and mistletoe berries. When fruit and insects are scarce, they may supplement their diet with sap, buds, and flowers.
Reproduction and Social Life
Waxwings breed late in the year to synchronize with the ripening of summer fruits. Their courtship is unique; pairs engage in a ritual where they pass a fruit or small object back and forth several times before copulating.
Unlike many birds, waxwings do not defend a strict territory, which may explain why they lack a complex song. Instead, they may nest in close proximity to other pairs. The female constructs a loose, bulky nest of twigs, grass, and lichen in the fork of a branch, often camouflaging it with moss and flowers. While the female incubates the eggs, the male provides her with food. Once the eggs hatch, both parents share the responsibility of rearing the young.
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Migration and Movement
Waxwings are not traditional long-distance migrants. Instead, they are nomadic, wandering erratically based on food availability. In years when berry crops fail, they may undergo irruptions, where huge flocks of hundreds or thousands of birds move well beyond their typical winter ranges in search of food.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are they called "waxwings"?
They are named for the small, bright red tips on their secondary wing feathers, which resemble droplets of red sealing wax.
What do waxwings eat during the winter?
In winter, waxwings primarily eat fruit and berries, with rowan berries being particularly important to their survival.
Do waxwings migrate every year?
They are nomadic rather than long-distance migrants. They move south from their summer ranges in winter and may irrupt in large numbers if food sources like berries are scarce.
How do waxwings court their mates?
Courtship involves a distinctive ritual where the male and female pass a berry or a small inedible object back and forth to one another several times.
Are male and female waxwings different in appearance?
No, the males and females of all three waxwing species possess the same plumage.