Found mainly in northeastern Asia, it breeds in Russia’s far eastern forests and then migrates to winter in Japan, Korea, and parts of China. Unlike its slightly more widespread cousin, the Bohemian waxwing, the Japanese waxwing is rarer and more localized, making it a special treat for birdwatchers lucky enough to see it.
Like all waxwings, it has silky, grayish-brown plumage and a stylish crest, but it’s instantly recognizable by the absence of the yellow tail band that other waxwings have. Instead, its tail ends in a black tip, and it often sports a unique red patch at the end of the tail—a feature not seen in its relatives. Its wings are decorated with red and yellow highlights resembling sealing wax drops, giving it the name “waxwing.” Add in its black face mask and rosy blush on the undertail, and you’ve got a bird that looks both refined and flamboyant.
Behaviorally, Japanese waxwings share the same quirky habits as other waxwings. They are fruit specialists, often gorging on berries and sometimes even becoming tipsy when the fruit has fermented. They also catch insects in flight during the summer months, showing off their agility. These birds are extremely social and cooperative, usually traveling in tight flocks. When they descend on a berry-laden tree, they strip it bare in no time, chattering softly with their high-pitched trills that sound almost like ringing bells. Their movements as a group are so synchronized that it looks like a choreographed performance.
Their red tail patch has inspired comparisons to sealing wax or even a drop of nail polish, as though the bird dipped its tail in paint before flying away. And in some parts of Japan, their arrival in winter is seen as a delightful seasonal event, much like cherry blossoms in spring—fleeting, beautiful, and eagerly anticipated.
Distribution
China
Hong Kong
Japan
Korea
North Korea
Russia
TaiwanAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Flock
Diet: Carnivore / Frugivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
