Bohemian Waxwing

Overview

Bohemian Waxwing: Large waxwing with gray upperparts, pink-gray crest, black mask and chin, and gray underparts. The wings are black with a sharp yellow or white line and red spots on secondaries (visible when folded). Tail is dark and yellow-tipped with cinnamon-brown undertail coverts.

Range and Habitat

Bohemian Waxwing: Widespread throughout Europe, Asia, and North America; preferred habitats include open woodlands.

INTERESTING FACTS

Bohemian Waxwings are susceptible to intoxication and even death due to eating fermented berries.
In the common name, Bohemian refers to their nomadic life style in search of fruit and berries; Waxwing, refers to the bright red bead-like tips of the secondary feathers on its wings, which look like drops of sealing wax.
The genus name, Bombycilla, comes from the Latin Bombyx (silk) and cilla (tail) and refers to the silky-soft plumage of the bird, The species name garrulus means 'noisy' or 'quarrelsome.'
A group of waxwings are collectively known as an "ear-full" and a "museum" of waxwings.