Waxwings are a family (Bombycillidae) of passerine birds characterized by their soft, silky plummage. Some of the wing feathers have unique red tips where the shafts extend beyond the barbs; in the Bohemian and Cedar Waxwings, these tips look like sealing wax, and give the group its common name.

There are three species of waxwings:

Japanese Waxwing, B. japonica – The Japanese Waxwing (Bombycilla japonica) is found in north-east Asia. It feeds mainly on fruit and berries but also eats insects during the summer. It is about 18 cm in length and its plumage is mostly pinkish-brown. Unlike the other species of waxwing, it lacks the row of waxy red feather-tips on the wing which gives the birds their name. Its call is a high-pitched trill but there is no true song. [Source]

Cedar Waxwing, B. cedrorum – The Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) breeds in open wooded areas in North America, principally southern Canada and the northern United States. They are approximately 6–7 in (15–18 cm) long and weigh roughly 30 grams. They are smaller and more brown than their close relative, the Bohemian Waxwing (which breeds farther to the north and west). During courtship the male and female will sit together and pass small objects back and forth, such as flower petals or an insect. [Source]

Bohemian Waxwing, B. garrulus – The Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus) is a sleek bird, 18–21 cm long with a pointed crest. It travels in large, nomadic groups with a strong, direct flight. It breeds in coniferous forests throughout the most northern parts of Europe, Asia and western North America. The Bohemian Waxwing is the only member of this family whose range circumnavigates all the continents just below the sub-Arctic latitudes. [Source]

Below you will find a stunning gallery of these beautiful birds. A search through Wikimedia Commons and Flickr provides a plethora of results as waxwings are a popular muse for bird photographers around the world. Enjoy!