Measurements
Both Sexes
- Length
- 6.3–7.5 in
16–19 cm - Wingspan
- 13 in
33 cm - Weight
- 1.6–2.4 oz
45–69 g
Other Names
- Jaseur boréal, Jaseur de Boheme (French)
- Ampelis europeo (Spanish)
Cool Facts
- The name "Bohemian" refers to the nomadic movements of winter flocks. It comes from the inhabitants of Bohemia, meaning those that live an unconventional lifestyle or like that of gypsies.
- The Bohemian Waxwing does not hold breeding territories, probably because the fruits it eats are abundant, but available only for short periods. One consequence of this non-territorial lifestyle is that it has no true song. It does not need one to defend a territory.
- Only three species of waxwings exist. The Bohemian and Japanese waxwings have white edges to the wing feathers, but the Cedar Waxwing does not. An unusual Cedar Waxwing was found with the ornate wing pattern, suggesting that the ancestor of all three species had a patterned wing.
Habitat
Forest
Breeds in open coniferous or mixed forests, especially taiga. Winters wherever fruits are found, including gardens, parklands, and cities.
Food
Insects
Fleshy fruit and insects.
Nesting
Nesting Facts
- Clutch Size
- 2–6 eggs
- Egg Description
- Pale blue-gray with sparse black spots.
- Condition at Hatching
- Hatch naked and helpless.
Nest Description
Nest is a bulky open cup of twigs, grasses, and moss, camouflaged with a covering of mosses and lichens. Placed on tree branch near trunk.
Nest Placement
Tree
Behavior
Foliage Gleaner
Flycatches for flying insects; gleans insects from vegetation. Plucks fruit while perched, or may hover briefly to snatch fruit. Swallows entire fruit.
Conservation
Least Concern
Populations stable or increasing.