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Bombycilla garrulus
Diet
Primarily sugary fruit, supplemented by flying insects, flowers, and plant fluids
Habitat
Coniferous and mixed woodland near lakes, streams, and swamps; fruit-rich urban areas outside breeding
Range
Holarctic, breeding across northern Eurasia and northwestern North America and moving south during winter
Clutch size
4–6 eggs
Incubation period
13–15 days
Size
15.9–20.3 cm
Wingspan
30–36 cm
Weight
46.5–69 g
Bohemian waxwings have a Holarctic distribution. In Eurasia they breed mainly across Scandinavia, Russia, and Siberia, moving south toward central Europe and east to central Japan outside the breeding season. North American populations breed principally across Alaska and Canada. Breeding birds occupy coniferous or mixed woodland, frequently near lakes, streams, and swamps. During migration they seek fruit-rich landscapes, including towns and cities. Adults measure 15.9 to 20.3 centimeters long, span 30 to 36 centimeters, and weigh 46.5 to 69 grams. (Animal Diversity Web)
Sugary fruit forms the principal food of Bohemian waxwings, and their physiology allows them to process both large quantities of sugar and ethanol produced by fermenting berries. During summer they also capture flying insects and may consume flowers or plant fluids. Partners form within winter and spring flocks through courtship feeding and hopping displays. Breeding is timed with summer fruit production. A clutch contains four to six pale blue-gray eggs, the female incubates for approximately 13 to 15 days, and both parents feed the chicks. (Animal Diversity Web)