Vertebrate Zoology

A Dictionary of Zoology A Dictionary of Zoology Further reading

Bombycillidae

A Dictionary of Zoology | 1999 | | Copyright

Bombycillidae (hypocolius, silky flycatchers, waxwings; class Aves, order Passeriformes) A family of variable, soft-plumaged, mostly crested birds that inhabit forests, plains, and deserts, feeding on fruit and nesting in trees. The three species of Bombycilla (waxwings) are brown-grey birds with crests, and secondaries that have red, wax-like tips. The tail is tipped with yellow or red. They have short, stout bills, and short legs. Waxwings are gregarious in winter. Hypocolius ampelinus (hypocolius) is a blue-grey bird with a black mask, white-tipped black primaries, and a black-tipped tail. Its bill is slightly hooked, and its legs are short and strong. It inhabits open scrub with trees, feeds on berries and insects, and nests in trees and bushes. It occurs in southwestern Asia and is sometimes placed in a family of its own, Hypocolidae. There are five genera in the family, with eight species, although the silky flycatchers are sometimes placed in a separate family Ptilogonatidae. They are found in N. and Central America, Europe, and Asia.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

MICHAEL ALLABY. "Bombycillidae." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "Bombycillidae." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-Bombycillidae.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "Bombycillidae." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-Bombycillidae.html

Learn more about citation styles

waxwings

A Dictionary of Zoology | 1999 | | Copyright

waxwings See BOMBYCILLIDAE.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

MICHAEL ALLABY. "waxwings." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "waxwings." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-waxwings.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "waxwings." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-waxwings.html

Learn more about citation styles

Free newspaper and magazine articles

	BIRDING; On the Wing; Waxwings eloquent in August.(HOME & GARDEN) Newspaper article from: Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN); 8/4/2004
	Comparative analysis of habitat selection, nest site and nest success by... Magazine article from: The American Midland Naturalist; 10/1/1997
	on the wing; NATURE'S NOMADS; Breathtakingly beautiful cedar waxwings are... Newspaper article from: Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN); 7/14/2010