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Bohemian Waxwing (male)


Bohemian Waxwing (male)
Photo Information
Copyright: Sigmund Rise (rise) Silver Note Writer [C: 0 W: 0 N: 16] (108)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-03-09
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon D200, Tamron 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DiII, Digital ISO 100
Exposure: f/7.1, 1/80 seconds
Map: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-03-09 6:51
Viewed: 4187
Points: 8
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus) is a member of the waxwing family of passerines. A sleek bird, 18-21 cm long with a pointed crest, it travels in large, nomadic groups with a strong, direct flight. It breeds in coniferous forests throughout the most northern parts of Europe, Asia and western North America.
Bohemian Waxwing is the only member of this family whose range circumnavigates all the continents just below the sub-Arctic latitudes.
Its English name refers to the bright red bead-like tips of the secondary feathers on its wings, which look like drops of sealing wax, while 'Bohemian' refers to its (presumed) origin from Bohemia (at the time, a relatively unknown but "distant, eastern" place). It is larger and greyer than the Cedar Waxwing and has bright yellow tips on its tail feathers and a yellow or white stripe along the wing feathers. Under tail coverts are a deep rust colour. Both beak and feet are dark and the brown eyes are set in a narrow black mask underlined with white.

The preferred nest is usually high in a pine tree but feeding opportunities determine the location ultimately chosen. Each bird or pair may have more than one nest in the same general area. The nests have an outer diameter of 15cm to 18cm and are lined with fine grass, moss, and down. On average, 4 to 6 eggs are laid, the egg shells having a pale bluish colour with a heavy sprinkling of blackish spots and some dark, irregular lines. Incubation is around 14 days and the young leave the nest about 13 to 15 days after hatching.

This species is irruptive, moving in unpredictable migration patterns from year to year, and particularly moving south, often in huge numbers, if the berry supply fails in winter.
The call is a pleasant ringing sound, similar to that of the Cedar Waxwing but lower pitched.
Birds in winter can be very confiding and will come into gardens for berry bushes and trees, a favorite being the rowan.
There are no berries here at this time of year, so I provide them with apples.
Marx44, esimsek has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi

Colors are vibrant, details, POV and lighting are great.
Well done on this fine composition, thank you.

Marx

  • Great 
  • viv Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 292 W: 3 N: 653] (3317)
  • [2009-03-09 8:03]

Hi Sigmund,
Bueatifull bird, so colourfull and you have the chance to take it with great sharpness and with a lot of details.
Thanks.
Vivian

hello sigmund
beautiful coloured picture
great details of the bird
greeting lou

  • Great 
  • GaryT Gold Star Critiquer [C: 102 W: 7 N: 236] (160)
  • [2009-03-11 7:53]

Very good. I can't believe this didn't get more points! We only rarely see these around here. Gary

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