Bird · Bombycillidae
Bohemian Waxwing
Bombycilla garrulus
Bird call
© Ulf Elman / XC1051902 / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Facts
- Habitat
- Boreal conifer and birch forest (breeding); irruptive winter visitor to woodland edge, parks, and berry-bearing trees
- IUCN status
- LC (Least Concern)
- Wingspan
- ~35 cm
Ecological relationships
Disperses seeds of
Specialist frugivore whose irruptive winter movements into temperate Europe are driven by Rowan mast crop failures in Fennoscandia. Seeds swallowed whole and passed intact (Svensson 1975).
Swallows Yew arils whole, passing the enclosed seed intact. One of the few birds to consume Taxus fruit in significant quantity. A critical dispersal link for a tree with few avian partners.
Feeds on
Feeds extensively on Elder berries during winter irruptions into western Europe, often in large flocks alongside Blackbirds and Fieldfares.
