Dining in rowan - waxwing

Photo: Arne Ader
Translation: Liis
 
Waxwing.
 
 Waxwing
Siidisaba
 

Waxwings have very rarely nested in Estonia. Migrants from Finland, Sweden and Karelia have already been observed here, but the greatest passage of migrants comes in November-December. Up to some twenty thousand may stay on here for the winter.

The beautiful birds busy themselves in flocks without fearing humans and when they are disturbed the whole group often just flies off to the next tree. Nesting in the tundra and forest zones, they don’t meet many humans during that time, which explains their fearless actions.

Differences between juvenile and adult birds that can be mentioned are that the juveniles lack the black throat patch and the silky sheen is duller. About the adults: the basic colours of the silky, glossy plumage are reddish-brown and grey. A black mask around the eyes, a similarly coloured patch on the throat, a strong beak with a slightly curved tip. All have a nice head crest. Wing feathers are black, with yellow and white patches, the tips of primary feathers are yellow, as is the tip of the tail – a quite colourful description.

Very voracious eating habits. A flock can strip a rowan, juniper, dog rose, aronia or hawthorn of fruits in a very short time, leaving the ground under the trees or bushes strewn with berry leftovers. Such “fingerprints” can often be seen after the travellers.

In flight a characteristic non-stop ringing call sound is heard.



 

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