BirdBombycillidae
Bohemian Waxwing
Bombycilla garrulus
- Habitat
- Boreal conifer and birch forest (breeding); irruptive winter visitor to woodland edge, parks, and berry-bearing trees
- IUCN status
- LCLeast Concern
- Wingspan
- ~35 cm
Ecological relationships
Disperses seeds of
RowanSorbus aucupariaSpecialist 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).
Common YewTaxus baccataSwallows 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
ElderSambucus nigraFeeds extensively on Elder berries during winter irruptions into western Europe, often in large flocks alongside Blackbirds and Fieldfares.