Page 293 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

WRENS, DIPPERS,WAXWINGS,AND ACCENTORS
Order Passeriformes Family Bombycillidae Species Bombycilla garrulus
Waxwing large crest black line

through
eye
white bars on
black wings
neat
ADULT
black bib
dull pale grey pale pinkish
black tail lower back brown body
with broad and rump
yellow tip
IN FLIGHT
MALE
thinner
yellow yellow tip
stripe blurred
bib
waxy red spots
on wings
long stripe of yellow
or white along closed
wingtips
FEMALE
northern breeding bird, the Waxwing visits western
AEurope in winter in very variable numbers.The best rusty red MALE
years follow a summer with good breeding success and high under tail
populations, but a poor autumn berry crop will force the Waxwings
to move far to the south and west of their usual range in search of
food.Although flocks in flight might superficially suggest Starlings, FLIGHT: direct, swooping or swerving, with long,
identification is very easy; the birds’ tameness helps as they feed in shallow undulations, quick wingbeats; flocks keep
urban areas or gardens. formation like waders.
VOICE Silvery, high, metallic trill on even pitch, trrreee or siirrrrr.
NESTING Moss-lined nest of twigs in birch or conifer; 4–6 eggs;
1 brood; May–June.
FEEDING Eats insects in
summer; in winter some
insects, often caught in
flight, but mostly large
berries such as rowan,haw-
thorn,and cotoneaster;also
eats apples and other fruit.
OCCURRENCE
SIMILAR SPECIES Breeds in conifer forest in extreme
NE Europe. In winter, frequent in
sharper N Scandinavia, irregular in
dark bill S Scandinavia and E Europe.
rump
Numbers are erratic, sometimes
large, in W Europe, big flocks
coinciding with high population
and lack of food in N Europe.
STARLING 32; RESTING FLOCK
similar in flight; Waxwings feed greedily, stripping shrub of berries, and drink a great Seen in the UK
see p.372 JF M A M J JA S O N D
deal. Between bouts of feeding, flocks rest in undisturbed trees nearby.
Length 18cm (7in) Wingspan 32–35cm (12 1 ⁄2 –14in) Weight 45–70g (1 5 ⁄8 –2 1 ⁄2oz)
Social Flocks Lifespan Up to 5 years Status Secure†
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