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Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus

 
 

InBohemian Waxwing   CaOcell sedós   DaSilkehale   DeSeidenschwanz   EsAmpelis europeo   Fitilhi   FrJaseur boréal   ItBeccofrusone   NlPestvogel   NoSidensvans   PtTagarela-europeu   SvSidensvans   USBohemian Waxwing   RuСвиристель

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adult
adult

adult
adult
European distribution
European distribution
winter adults feeding
winter adults feeding

Identification

Even non-birdwatchers get excited about these distinctive, colourful and famously approachable birds. They usually offer ample opportunity to appreciate their sandy plumage with a full crest, black bib, yellow tips to the tail feathers and white markings in the wings. Even the little red waxy tips to the secondaries can often be seen very well.

Habitat

Breeds in coniferous woodland with deep undergrowth. Winters in gardens, parks, hawthorn thickets and hedges.

Behaviour

In winter they feed in tight flocks which take part in 'feeding frenzies'. The whole flock may spend a great deal of time at the top of a tall tree, calling loudly, then, as if at a signal, they will descend 'en masse' into a bush full of berries, feed like crazy for a few minutes then all suddenly return to their treetop vantage point. In those few minutes they can completely strip at least part of the bush, sometimes leaving another part of the same bush totally untouched.

Migration

A partial migrant with some birds travelling south to eastern and central Europe during most winters.

This information is taken from the BirdFile on the appropriate BirdGuides DVD-ROM. As well as video and sounds, our CD- and DVD-ROMs contain additional text on Voice, Sexing, Ageing, Food, Nests and Eggs and more.

show section BirdGuides rarity status: Local

hide section Most recent UK and Irish reports of Waxwing

  22:09 09/02/10 Waxwing Lincs Gibraltar Point NNR   
  21:21 09/02/10 Waxwing Norfolk Titchwell RSPB   
  19:39 09/02/10 Waxwing W Sussex Littlehampton 13:40 
  18:04 09/02/10 Waxwing Norfolk Ingoldisthorpe   
  18:00 09/02/10 Waxwing N Yorks Seamer Carr 09:45 
  17:27 09/02/10 Waxwing Cambs Stretham 16:00 
  17:07 09/02/10 Waxwing Norfolk Norwich   
  16:40 09/02/10 Waxwing Clyde Glasgow 09:30 
  16:04 09/02/10 Waxwing Lothian Edinburgh   
  13:56 09/02/10 Waxwing Durham Houghton-le-Spring 08:00 

hide section Most recent photos of Waxwing (10)

show section European breeding populations (5)

show section Products featuring Waxwing (9)

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http://blx1.bto.org/birdfacts/results/bob10480.htm http://blx1.bto.org/birdfacts/results/bob10480.htm   BTO BirdFacts: WaxwingEdit this link Edit this link
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hide section Articles (6)

Mum’s gone to Finland… Mum’s gone to Finland… Mum’s gone to Finland…New content  Wednesday 31st December 2008
Julian Hughes takes a light-hearted look at shopping preferences amongst Nordic tourists.  read on read on
Colour-ringed Waxwing sightings Colour-ringed Waxwing sightings Colour-ringed Waxwing sightingsMonday 22nd December 2008
Helping to give your dots and records more direction and meaning.  read on read on
BTO: Take the next step…and unlock the potential of your bird records BTO: Take the next step…and unlock the potential of your bird records BTO: Take the next step…and unlock the potential of your bird recordsThursday 27th November 2008
Can you add Roving Records to the BTO's Bird Atlas?  read on read on
Colour-ringed Waxwings Colour-ringed Waxwings Colour-ringed WaxwingsThursday 9th February 2006
A number of Waxwings have recently been colour-ringed in Sheffield; can you help to track their movements? Three have recently been seen in Stockport - where will they go next?  read on read on
Colour-ringed Waxwings - A request for sightings Colour-ringed Waxwings - A request for sightings Colour-ringed Waxwings - A request for sightingsWednesday 8th December 2004
A number of Waxwings were colour-ringed during the recent influx and observers are urged to check flocks for these birds to help build up a picture of their movements.  read on read on
Berry Gobblers on the Move  Berry Gobblers on the Move  Webzine subscribers onlyThursday 16th January 2003
Once again we are fortunate to be experiencing an invasion of Waxwings and numbers have been increasing during the past week. Find out more about the influx of this ever-popular visitor.

BirdGuides webzine BirdGuides webzine

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