I wonder if the waxwing is a migratory bird or not?

2024 Author: Sierra Becker | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-26 03:47

The world of birds is huge. All of them differ from each other in various indicators, but there are two large groups of birds - migratory and sedentary. In this article, let's try to figure it out: are waxwings migratory birds or not?

Who is this?

So, who is the waxwing, why is it called that and what does this bird look like? It is worth saying that this is the closest relative of the well-known sparrow, however, it has a much more beautiful plumage and bright appearance. And the bird got its name because of a special singing, similar to a whistle: "Svi-ri-ri".

Appearance

Waxwings are small birds, up to about 20 cm, and weighing about 70 g. It will be very difficult to confuse this bird with another, because it has a beautiful crest on its head and a bright, memorable color. The color of the body is predominantly gray-pink, but the wings are multi-colored, "painted". They can intertwine colors such as black, yellow, orange, white. The crest of waxwings is also gray-pink, and there will definitely be colored stripes at the tip of the tail. There are three typesthese birds. And females and males are practically indistinguishable externally. However, as usual, there are some nuances: there is a species where the male waxwings are completely black, and the females are gray.

Residence

It will be interesting information about where the waxwing lives. So, its main place of residence is the tundra and taiga of Eurasia. However, these birds can also be found in North America. They love coniferous forests more, but flocks can also be seen in mixed forests, where there are birch and spruce. Many may be interested in the question: is the waxwing a migratory bird or not? But it is difficult to give an exact answer. She is neither migratory nor settled. But you can definitely call her nomadic. It is during the movements that scientists study it, but when the birds do not fly from place to place, they lead a very secretive lifestyle, and it is almost impossible to observe them. Having figured out whether waxwings are migratory or not, it is also worth saying that they prefer colder places to hot ones, so if they fly away, then not to warm climes, but to cool areas.

About life

Having understood whether the waxwing is a migratory bird or not, it is worth saying about how the life of these birds works. So, they begin to build nests in early spring, however, they do not use hard branches for bedding, but soft feathers. It is here that the female will incubate the eggs, and the male will carefully feed his offspring. These birds feed mainly on berries in winter, they especially like mountain ash, barberry, mistletoe, raspberries, dog rose (most berry bushes). As for the summer period,then at this time waxwings eat shoots of young growth, seeds, ripe berries. It will be interesting that with their small beak on the fly, these birds can capture small midges, mosquitoes and even small butterflies. As for nutrition, waxwings eat a lot, trying to fill their stomach with any food as much as possible. It is easy to recognize the place of their feasting, because under the branches of trees it will always be possible to find incompletely digested berries. However, this has its own benefits, as the birds spread the young by dispersing the seeds in the area where they live.

Interesting facts

Having figured out whether the waxwing is a migratory bird or not, it is also worth telling a few fun facts about them. So, the behavior of these birds in the autumn period is entertaining. This is due to the fact that at this time the berries begin to ferment a little, and the gluttonous waxwings, having eaten such fruits, feel something similar to intoxication. However, this will not always seem cheerful, because in this state the birds often crash against various obstacles that appear in their path. Birds experience the same state in the spring, when they drink fermented maple sap. As for winter, there is another danger here: waxwings can eat frozen berries and fall under the trees in a frozen form. After a while, the bird may move away, but often this also ends in the death of birds. The period of mating games in waxwings is associated not with dancing, but with food. So, the male, as a sign of favor, will carry berries to his lady, later helping to feed,but do not hatch.

Enemies

The first enemies of these birds are martens and squirrels, which eat not only eggs, but also newly hatched chicks. Of the birds dangerous for waxwings are owls, hawks and even crows. Having figured out whether the waxwing is a migratory bird or not, people try to feed these beauties. As for communication, these birds are reluctant to contact people, but with great desire they fly to various feeders that are hung in parks and other places of recreation.