waxwing

views updated Jun 11 2018

waxwing Any of a few species of small, grey-brown birds with distinctive black markings on the head, a small crest, and characteristic red or red-and-yellow waxy tips on the secondary wing feathers. They are found in the forests of Eurasia and North America and feed on berries and fruit. Length: to 20cm (8in). Family Bombycillidae; genus Bombycilla.