Japanese Waxwing

Japanese Waxwing (Feb. 21, 2021)

The Japanese Waxwing, or Hirenjaku, is a beautiful passerine bird a bit larger than a starling. It's easily identified by its elegant, pinkish-brown body, a prominent crest, and a black throat patch. Its most striking feature is the red tips on its tail feathers, which distinguish it from other waxwings.

Unlike other migratory birds, they don't arrive every year. While some years thousands of them can be seen in Japan, other years they don't arrive at all. When they do visit, it's typically between late autumn and spring. These birds are often seen in flocks, foraging for berries in urban parks, gardens, and mountainous areas, and their high-pitched, bell-like calls are a common sound during their stay.

Flock visited Round Leaf Holly (Feb. 21, 2021)