Waxwings

Waxwings are medium-sized passerine birds in the genus Bombycilla, the only group within the waxwing family Bombycillidae. They are best known for the wax-like, droplet-shaped tips on some of their wing feathers, which give the birds their common name. Waxwings are highly social, often forming large flocks that forage together and roost communally.

There are three widely recognized species: the Bohemian waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus), the Cedar waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum), and the Japanese waxwing (Bombycilla japonica). The Bohemian waxwing breeds in boreal forests across Eurasia and North America and is noted for its extensive irruptions in years with poor berry crops. The Cedar waxwing is common in North America and is typically resident or locally migratory, following fruit availability. The Japanese waxwing is confined to East Asia with seasonal movements that follow fruit resources.

Diet is omnivorous and highly seasonal. Waxwings feed largely on fruit, berries, and the soft flesh of undigested seeds, supplemented by insects during the breeding season. They frequently forage in flocks, sometimes hovering to pick fruit, and they may sally to catch flying insects.

Reproduction involves nest-building in trees, with both parents incubating about a dozen days and feeding the altricial young. The species are currently listed as of least concern by conservation authorities, though populations may fluctuate with the availability of fruit crops. The name waxwing derives from the distinctive waxy tips on the wing feathers, a trait most evident in flight.