42 birdsandblooms.com SEPTEMBER EXTRA 2020
Bohemian Waxwing
Waxwings have a soft appearance, almost
as if they just escaped from a watercolor
painting. Bohemian waxwings roam south to
eat fruits and berries in wintertime, sometimes
commingling with flocks of cedar waxwings.
The waxy red wingtips and yellow tips on their
tail feathers are colored by carotenoids, which
are pigments found in fruits the birds consume.
Rusty undertail coverts and rich hues along
the head help distinguish Bohemians from their
more familiar counterparts.Wood Duck
When it comes to ducks, this species is a
strong candidate for the most dapper. The
iridescent sheen of the crested head of the
male is simply stunning. While the males are
easy to spot for much of the year, they do
molt into brown feathers for a short period
in late summer. During this eclipse plumage,
they are camouflaged when resting and closely
resemble female wood ducks. Even while they
are in this muted pattern, males maintain their
bright red eyes and bills.