Bombycillidae

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Bombycillidae

bird family

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Related Topics:: songbird; waxwing; Bohemian waxwing; cedar waxwing

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Bombycillidae, songbird family, order Passeriformes, that includes waxwings (see waxwing), the silky flycatchers (the best known of which is the phainopepla, Phainopepla nitens), and the little-known gray hypocolius of southwest Asia. The waxwing species are irregularly distributed across the Northern Hemisphere, but the silky flycatchers are limited to North and Central America. Most bombycillids have tapering crests; distinctive wing markings; and a short, rather broad bill. All are arboreal. Most live chiefly on fruit, especially berries; silky flycatchers, however, may take insects on the wing, and all bombycillids catch insects to feed to their nestlings. Some authorities include the palm-chat (q.v.) in this family.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.