An Activity Guide About the Songbirds of British Columbia Family BOMBYCILLIDAE: Waxwings

Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus) FIELD MARKS There are two species of waxwings in British Columbia. Waxwings have sleek, soft buff-coloured bodies and short bills that are slightly hooked. They can be identified easily by the prominent crests on their heads, black eye mask and bright yellow-tipped wings and tails. They have long, pointy wings that sometimes have small bright reddish-orange, wax-like appendages on the tips, for which they are named. The Bohemian Waxwing is brownish-grey with a cinnamon-coloured head. It has a very distinctive black eye mask and black patch on its throat. Its wings have white and yellow marks on the outer edges. Its tail is black near the end with bright yellow tips and rusty-brown undertail coverts. Approximate length: 20 cm FOOD Waxwings eat mainly fruits and berries. The berries of mountain-ash and juniper trees are among their favourites. Flying insects are sometimes captured using similar methods as flycatchers. HABITAT Bohemian Waxwings are birds of northern forests. They prefer coniferous forests, but also use mixed woodlands. In the winter, they like to live in areas that are close to berry or fruit trees and shrubs. This usually includes residential areas of towns. NESTING Nests are built on horizontal branches in coniferous trees. Female and male work together to build their cup-shaped nest using twigs, grass and lichen. Nests are lined with fine grass, plant fibres and conifer needles. The female lays 4-6 pale-blue eggs that have many black spots and thin lines. STATUS Stable. DISTRIBUTION