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Unfortunately, I have never seen the Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus) in real life, but it is high on my wish list. They sometimes appear in large numbers as invasion guests, even in cities. As such, they are not very shy. Since they are apparently found more and more often in the Netherlands in winter, I should be able to see them one day.

I find them (judging from photos by others) very beautiful birds, with that salmon pink color, and the yellow stripes on the wings and tail. I also really like that crest with that intriguing black mask.

And the origin of the Dutch name (Pertvogel = plague bird) is also interesting: the Bohemian Waxwing was associated with doom and disease in the Middle Ages, as they often turned up in large numbers precisely during harsh winters, when food was scarce and plague outbreaks were also common. It was thought that these birds carried the plague and spread the disease, hence the name. We now know that was different.

They eat insects and nuts. In the winter they switch to fruits of rowan, hawthorn, medlar and Gelderland rose, which they also love. So those are the places to look for them (=tip to myself!).

Fun fact: The English name, Bohemian Waxwing, refers to the red spots on the wings that look like sealing wax.

Reference: JonPauling via Pixabay

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