Bohemian waxwings perched on a branch, Canada
Bohemian waxwings perched on a branch, Canada (© Jim Cumming/Shutterstock)
Bohemian waxwings in Canada
Among their feathered friends, Bohemian waxwings, clad in their elegant grayish-brown plumage, stand out as the wandering singers of the Northern Hemisphere. Their striking appearance comes from the contrast between their velvety gray body and the vibrant, waxy red tips gracing their secondary wing feathers. If alarmed, they freeze with their bill and neck pointing upwards. In winter they feast upon cotoneaster, juniper, and rowan berries—the latter is their favorite. As spring casts its spell, these nomads engage in nesting. The female waxwings craft the nests, laying two to six bluish-gray eggs. The hatchlings are fed a diet of insects and fruits by both parents. One can easily spot these sociable birds, as they often gather in chirpy flocks in North America and Eurasia.
© Jim Cumming/Shutterstock