Waxwing Diet and Size: Feeding Habits, Predators, and Measurements
This highly colourful exotic winter visitor to the UK is a fascinating bird that breeds in the colder climes of Northern Europe. They typically only leave their breeding grounds when their population swells so much that food sources become scarce.
They are typically visitors during the winter months and these large visitations are known as “irruptions” and it’s at this point when they are often seen in great numbers in the UK. Keep reading to find out more about these fascinating passerines.
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The Dietary Habits Of The Waxwing
In this section we’ll look into what the diet of the waxwing looks like as well as what foods they feed to their chicks.
What Does A Waxwing Eat?
Waxwings are primarily berry eaters and can consume as many as two to three hundred berries every day. That works out to over twice their body weight in berries eaten every day!
They need to consume such large quantities because fruits and berries in particular, are rich in sugar but deficient in other nutrients which means they need to eat lots to meet their nutritional daily amounts.
Waxwings have a large liver which helps them convert sugar into energy. But even though they are able to metabolise ethanol produced during the fermentation of those sugary fruits more efficiently than humans, they can still become intoxicated which can lead to their death.
Waxwings diets consist primarily of rowan berries produced by the rowan or mountain ash tree as well as cotoneaster, juniper berries as well as haws, rose hips and apples. During the summer months, the berries of vaccinium and brambles are an important part of their diet.
What To Feed A Baby Waxwing?
Both parents feed their young with regurgitated food mainly foraged by the male. These protein rich food sources consist mainly of insects in the first few days of the chick’s lives.
They switch to a more berry and fruit based diet once the chicks have developed sufficiently (from around day 6 onwards). If you were to stumble across an unattended waxwing nest which is unlikely unless you happen to be high up in the trees of Northern Europe, you will be best advised to contact a local bird sanctuary or similar as they will have the necessary skills to assist the chicks.
Breeding Habits Of Waxwings
Waxwings typically start to return to their breeding grounds in late February and March. Although Northern breeders don’t necessarily arrive until late April to mid May.
They are not really territorial birds but they do prefer to breed in isolation. Having said that, it’s often possible to spot a few pairs breeding close together if there are sufficient food sources to sustain them.
A male waxwing straightens his body and crest feathers and turns his head away from the female. He might also offer her small amounts of food which he places directly into her mouth. It appears that females are more attracted to older males that have more red tips on their wings.
Once they have partnered up, both the male and the female will construct the nest. This is made using twigs, grass, moss, fur or lichen. They make their nests high up in trees around 1.3 to 15 metres (4 to 50 feet) above the ground.
Do Waxwings Mate For Life?
Waxwings do not typically mate for life but do form monogamous bonds that last for that particular breeding season. They work as a team building the nest and the male keeps the female supplied with food whilst she is incubating the eggs.
He then does most of the food foraging once the chicks hatch and stays with the family until the young chicks fledge the nest and for around 2 weeks after fledging in order to teach the young how to find food etc.
On returning to the breeding grounds the following year, each partner will typically bond with a different partner for that season and so on.
The Size & Weight Of Waxwings
Although not hard to recognise due to their striking appearance, let’s look at the size and weight of the waxwing for identification purposes.
How Much Does A Waxwing Weigh?
The average weight of an adult waxwing is around 45 to 70 grams. That’s around the same weight as two AA alkaline batteries or an empty CD case.
How Big Is A Waxwing?
Waxwings are slightly smaller than Starlings and have a length of around 18 cm. They boast a wingspan of around 32 to 35 cm which makes them roughly the same size as a Swallow.
Their weight and size are perfectly suited for their environment and allows them to find food and evade would-be predators whilst flying.
Are Waxwings Under Threat?
Even though they are only winter visitors to the UK, the waxwing is Green listed in the UK this means they are considered to be of least concern in terms of conservation. This is also true elsewhere in the world with the Species of European Conservation Concern (SECC) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) both listing the waxwing as a bird of least concern.
Having said that, the waxwing, along with many other bird species, can face a number of challenges including habitat loss, changes in food availability as well as climate change.
What Eats A Waxwing?
Like many birds, the waxwing has a number of natural predators. These include certain birds of prey like Owls, Falcons and Hawks that will prey on all types of small birds.
Also larger bird species like Jays, Ravens and Crows will often prey on young waxwing chicks and eggs. Then there are small mammal species like squirrels and weasels that often raid waxwing nests and steal eggs and chicks.
Where Can I See Waxwings In The UK?
Although not resident birds in the UK, waxwings can often be spotted during the months of October to March. Depending on the scarcity of food sources in their Northern European habitats, there are infrequent winter migrations known in ornithological circles as “irruptions” which often arrive in the UK.
They are commonly seen in Eastern Scotland and Northern England. As well as in Eastern and Central England with areas like Yorkshire, the Midlands and East Anglia seeing significant numbers. They are likely to be spotted in any area with a large number of trees and bushes which produce red or orange berries and fruits.
Bird watchers can often spot waxwings in parks, gardens, car parks and other areas with berry bearing trees and shrubs.
SEE ALSO: Taiga Bean Goose Diet and Size
Frequently Asked Questions
The primary diet of waxwings include berries and fruits. They are particularly drawn to rowan berries and the berries of the cotoneaster plant. They will also eat juniper berries as well as haws, rose hips and apples.
During the first 4 to 5 days after hatching waxwings feed their chicks on insects. These protein rich food sources provide all of the nutrients needed for the development and growth of the chicks. After around 5 days, they start to feed the young on berries and fruits.
Waxwings don’t tend to mate for life. They rather form monogamous partnerships that last for one breeding season. The following year, both partners will form a monogamous bond with a new partner which will typically last just for that season.
