Scientific name: Bombycilla garrulus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Bird group: Waxwings
Field characters. 19 cm. A short thick-set bird with a large crest. Unmistakable in good light and at medium range, but in unfavourable light-conditions at greater distance confusable with Starling due to similar shape and actions, both on perch and on wing. In general, less agile and often remarkably inactive and tame. Male with face chestnut, rest of head pale pinkish brown; lower part of forehead, eye-stripe and throat black, edged with white along cheek; nape, neck, wing coverts, mantle and back brownish drab; rump and upper tail coverts ash-grey; tail black with broad yellow terminal band; underparts range from brownish grey on chest to buff on belly, with vinaceous wash on chest, sides of breast and flanks; vent rufous; primaries black with yellow fringe around tip, secondaries black with white tips and coral-red appendages, primary coverts black with white tips. Female similar but throat greyer, yellow tail-tip narrower, and red appendages smaller and less numerous. Juvenile has shorter crest, pale buff face, and streaked, duller and less contrasting plumage with very small red appendages, and yellow border of primary-tips restricted to outer web.
Voice. Has a rather limited vocabulary; most common call is a high-pitched, tinkling "sirr".
Distribution. A fairly common breeding bird in the subarctic region. Southernmost populations are resident, others descend well into middle latitudes; locally a common passage migrant and winter visitor.
Habitat. Essentially arboreal; during breeding season in dense woods and coniferous taiga; in winter in various fruit-bearing trees and scrub, often near water; also along roads and in gardens.
Food. Predominantly insects during summer, fruits, berries and flowers during winter.