Good evening, everyone! With the arrival of winter, let’s talk about the charm of the petite Bohemian Waxwing and Japanese Waxwing, each about 18cm in length.
Both species have pointed crest feathers on their heads and black throats. The Bohemian Waxwing, as its name suggests, is a small bird with a yellow tip on its tail. It has a reddish-grey-brown body and distinctive red waxy protrusions. The belly of the Bohemian Waxwing has a yellowish tint, unlike the Japanese Waxwing. The Japanese Waxwing, on the other hand, has a red tip on its tail. Its body is a light brown with a reddish-purple hue and the outer webs are grey. Both species have a black line over the eye, but in the Japanese Waxwing, it extends to the crest feathers.
Moreover, the main difference between the Japanese and Bohemian Waxwings lies in the characteristics of their wings. A feature unique to the Bohemian Waxwing is the red waxy protrusion at the end of the secondary wing feathers. This is the origin of their English name, “Waxwing.” This subtle difference is key to distinguishing between the two species. Even though they look similar, identifying species by such fine details is one of the joys of birdwatching.
Both species also share a preference for berries and can be observed as winter birds throughout Japan. They often move in flocks, sometimes forming large groups of dozens, or even over a hundred birds. It’s quite a sight!
The Bohemian Waxwing and the Japanese Waxwing add color to Japan’s winter nature. If you happen to see a flock of these birds, do enjoy their beauty. The shimmering sight of them might just alleviate the winter chill a bit. Until next time!
