Species Profile
Japanese Waxwing
Bombycilla japonica
Quick Facts
Conservation
NTNear ThreatenedLifespan
5–8 years
Length
18–21 cm
Weight
40–55 g
Wingspan
32–35 cm
Migration
Short-distance migrant
Also known as: Japanese Cedar Bird
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Appearance
The Japanese Waxwing is a sleek, medium-sized bird with a distinctive crest and silky plumage. Its body is primarily greyish-brown, with a black mask and chin and a yellow-tipped tail. The wings feature striking white and yellow markings.
Both sexes look similar, with adults displaying bright red waxy tips on their secondary feathers. Juveniles lack these waxy tips and have a more muted overall colouration.
Identification & Characteristics
Colors
- Primary
- Brown
- Secondary
- Red
- Beak
- Black
- Legs
- Black
Markings
Red tip on the wings, yellow tip on the tail
Tail: Short and square, with a yellow tip
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & Distribution
Japanese Waxwings inhabit temperate broadleaf and mixed forests across northeastern Asia, including Japan, Korea, and parts of eastern Russia. They prefer areas with abundant berry-producing trees and shrubs.
During winter, they often move to lower elevations and can be found in urban parks and gardens, where ornamental fruit trees provide food. They are occasional vagrants to western Alaska.
Distribution
Diet
Japanese Waxwings primarily feed on berries and small fruits, showing a particular fondness for mistletoe berries. They supplement their diet with insects, especially during the breeding season. Their ability to subsist on fermented berries allows them to survive harsh winter conditions.
Behaviour
Japanese Waxwings are highly social, often seen in flocks outside the breeding season. They exhibit a gentle, unhurried demeanour when foraging, plucking berries with deliberate movements. During courtship, pairs may pass small objects back and forth, a behaviour known as 'gift-giving'.
Calls & Sounds
Japanese Waxwings produce high-pitched, trilling calls that sound like 'sree-sree-sree'. Their vocalisations are often described as thin and reedy, lacking the complexity of many songbirds. In flight, they emit a soft, buzzy 'bzeee' sound, which helps maintain flock cohesion.
Nesting & Breeding
Breeding occurs from late May to July, with pairs forming monogamous bonds. Japanese Waxwings construct cup-shaped nests in trees, typically 3-10 meters above ground, using twigs, grass, and moss.
Females lay 3-5 pale blue eggs with dark spots. Both parents share incubation duties, which lasts about 14 days. The eggs are oval-shaped and have a smooth, slightly glossy surface.
Nestlings are altricial and fledge after approximately 14-16 days. Parents continue to feed the young for several weeks after they leave the nest.
Conservation
Currently listed as Near Threatened, Japanese Waxwings face threats from habitat loss due to deforestation and urban development. Climate change may also affect their migration patterns and food availability. Conservation efforts focus on preserving their woodland habitats and urban green spaces.
Population
Estimated: Unknown
Trend: Decreasing[2]
Populations are decreasing due to factors like deforestation
Elevation
Sea level to 1,500 meters
Additional Details
- Egg size:
- Approximately 2cm x 3cm
- Predators:
- Main predators include hawks, falcons, and occasionally larger owls. Nest predators may include corvids and small mammals.
- Alarm calls:
- Rapid, high-pitched trills
- Breeding age:
- 1
- Maturity age:
- 1
- Feeding times:
- Throughout the day, peaking at dawn and dusk
- Major threats:
- Habitat loss due to deforestation
- Parental care:
- Female incubates the eggs
- Primary calls:
- High-pitched trills and whistles
- Social habits:
- Travels in flocks
- Egg appearance:
- Blue-green with dark spots
- Feeding habits:
- Feeds on berries and insects from trees
- Breeding season:
- Spring to early summer
- Diet variations:
- Diet varies with season and location
- Fledging period:
- Approximately 2-3 weeks
- Average lifespan:
- 5
- Call description:
- A series of short, high-pitched whistles
- Daily activities:
- Active during the day, foraging for food in the morning and evening
- Nesting location:
- In trees or shrubs
- Number of broods:
- One or two
- Incubation period:
- Around 14 days
- Nest construction:
- Nests are cup-shaped, made from twigs and grass
- Migration patterns:
- Migrates from Siberia to Japan in the winter
- Migratory patterns:
- Migrates from Siberia to Japan in the winter
- Age related changes:
- None known
- Prey capture method:
- Catching insects in flight
- Conservation efforts:
- None specific, protected under general wildlife laws
- Territorial behavior:
- Not territorial
- Reproductive behavior:
- Monogamous
- Special dietary needs:
- None known
- Clutch characteristics:
- Usually 5 eggs, but ranges between 4-6
- Interaction with other species:
- Interacts with other bird species in feeding areas
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for flocks in fruiting trees, especially in winter
- Listen for their high-pitched, trilling calls
- Observe their distinctive silhouette with a prominent crest
- Watch for their acrobatic feeding behaviour as they reach for berries
Did You Know?
- Japanese Waxwings can eat twice their body weight in berries daily.
- They have a specialised liver that helps them process alcohol from fermented fruits.
- Their waxy wing tips are actually flattened feather shafts, not wax.
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