Waxwings are sprightly, stocky birds, smaller in size than a starling and easily recognisable by their prominent crest. They also have a black ‘eye mask’, a colourful pattern on their wings, and the tips of their flight feathers end in ‘spikes’ that look like pieces of bright red wax. They’re a favourite with wildlife fans and during our most recent Big Garden Birdwatch they were recorded in nine times more gardens than in any other year! Here are five facts we thought you’d enjoy about them…

Waxwings are winter visitors

Waxwings don’t breed in the UK, instead they are a winter visitor. The first arrivals are usually seen on the east coast of Scotland and England, before they begin to move inland in search of food. In some years they have made it as far west as Wales and even Ireland. Waxwings arrive here from October and start to leave again in March. 

You might see many, then again you might not

The number of waxwings that overwinter in Scotland each year can vary. There may be as few as 50 or as many as 15,000! This is influenced by conditions in their native Scandinavia. If the weather is poor or the population becomes too large for the food available this can lead to shortages, forcing large numbers to move elsewhere in search of nourishment. This is thought to happen every eight years or so and is called an ‘irruption’.

Waxwings eat A LOT

These little birds are voracious berry-eaters and are capable of stripping full trees or bushes bare, especially if they’ve been feeding in the same one for several days. Waxwings can gobble their way through 800-1000 berries in a single day, which is the equivalent of roughly twice their body weight. 

They enjoy company

Waxwings are gregarious birds although it is possible to see individual ones sometimes in winter. They’re also quite tame and can be approached to within a few metres, offering an excellent chance to see their beautiful plumage and snap some impressive pics!

The name game

The species of waxing we get in Scotland is the Bohemian waxwing, which is known by many different names particularly in the other countries it is found such as Germany, Iceland and Poland. Local names that you might hear here include ‘silktail’ and ‘chatterer’.

If you enjoyed this blog, check out some of our other five facts posts on ptarmigan, bumblebees, puffins, or red squirrels.