Bohemian Waxwing

Scientific Name: Bombycilla Garrulus

Population Estimate: 3M

Range / Habitat: It travels in large, nomadic groups with a strong, direct flight. It breeds in coniferous forests throughout the most northern parts of Europe, Asia and western North America. As the Cedar Waxwing inhabits only North America and the Japanese Waxwing only Asia, the Bohemian Waxwing is the only member of this family whose range circumnavigates all the continents just below the sub-Arctic latitudes.

Field Notes: The Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus) is a member of the waxwing family of passerines. It is larger, fatter and greyer than the Cedar Waxwing and has bright yellow, black or rusty orange color on its tail feather tips and a yellow, white, red or black stripe along the wing feathers. Under tail coverts are a deep rust color. Both beak and feet are dark and the brown eyes are set in a narrow black mask underlined with white.

Personal Notes:

Cedar Waxwing

Scientific Name: Bombycilla cedrorum

Population Estimate: 15M

Range / Habitat: Year-round in states along the US / Canada border. Summers up in to Canada. Winters throughout the rest of the US, Mexico, and Central America. In the fall and winter these birds will be in flocks feasting on berries. In the summer they will be catching insects, much as a fly-catcher.

Field Notes: Medium-sized passerine with svelte body, black mask and crest . The "wax" wingtip is striking. Occasionally they have an orange / red tail tip which is a variant thought to be related to diet. Waxwings are a flocking species and sound like crickets chirping. In the appropriate range, they mix with the Bohemian Waxwing which does not have white on the forehead, have a buffy breast, and have burnt orange coloring under the tail.

Personal Notes: These birds look like superheros.