Waxwing – Bombycilla Garrula – Original Hand-Coloured Lithograph

Engraver: John Gerrard Keulemans
Publisher: L’Imprimerie Nationale
Price: £75
Publication Date: Not dated but c.1876
Format: Original hand-coloured lithograph
Condition: In very good condition, unframed
Sheet Size: Sheet Size: 32.5cm x 25cm

Condition:

Original hand-coloured lithograph. Minor age-toning to the margins. In very good indeed, clean condition overall. A rare plate from this important work.

Location: Map Drawer B: FS: Folder JGK 001874

Waxwing: A Brief Description

The Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus), often referred to as the Bohemian Waxwing, is a striking and elegant songbird known for its smooth, silky plumage and colourful markings. It is a winter visitor to the British Isles, primarily seen during irruptive years when large flocks descend from the north in search of food. These birds are nomadic and typically migrate southwards from their breeding grounds in Scandinavia and northern Eurasia when berry supplies in their native habitats become scarce.

Physical Description:

• Size: Waxwings are medium-sized songbirds, about 18 to 21 cm (7 to 8 inches) in length, with a wingspan of 32 to 35 cm (12.5 to 14 inches). They are somewhat stocky and have a short, squared-off tail.
• Plumage: The Waxwing’s plumage is predominantly soft, smooth grey-brown, with a pinkish hue that gives it a silky appearance. It has a prominent crest on its head, which can be raised or flattened. The wings are adorned with striking white, yellow, and red markings. The tips of some of the wing feathers are tipped with a wax-like, bright red spot, which is where the bird gets its name.
• Head and Face: A distinctive black mask surrounds the bird’s eyes, with a black throat patch extending downwards. The crest and the facial markings give the Waxwing a sleek and almost regal look.
• Tail: The tail is tipped with a bright yellow band, which is a striking feature when seen in flight.
• Bill: The bill is short and black, perfectly suited for feeding on berries.

Distribution and Habitat:

• Breeding Range: Waxwings breed in the northern boreal forests of Scandinavia, Siberia, and parts of northern North America. They favour coniferous or mixed forests, particularly those near water bodies.
• Winter Range: During winter, Waxwings are highly nomadic, with large numbers sometimes moving southwards in search of food. This movement is often unpredictable, but when berry crops fail in their northern breeding grounds, they migrate en masse to parts of Britain, mainland Europe, and occasionally as far as central Asia. They are typically found in parks, gardens, and urban areas during the winter months, where berry-bearing shrubs are abundant.
• Habitat: Waxwings are often seen in flocks, feeding on berry-laden trees and shrubs, particularly in areas where rowan, hawthorn, and other fruiting plants are available.

Diet and Feeding:

• Berries and Fruit: Waxwings have a fruit-heavy diet and are especially drawn to rowan berries, hawthorn, and other small fruits during the winter months. They can strip trees of berries in no time, often feeding in large, chattering flocks. Their digestive system is highly efficient at processing berries, allowing them to eat large quantities in quick succession.
• Insects: During the breeding season, when they are in their northern breeding range, their diet shifts to include insects, such as flies and mosquitoes, which they catch in mid-air.

Behaviour and Social Structure:

• Flocking: Waxwings are highly social birds, often moving in large, noisy flocks, particularly in the non-breeding season. These flocks can number in the hundreds or even thousands during irruptive years, creating a spectacle as they descend on fruit-laden trees.
• Vocalisations: While generally not particularly vocal, Waxwings have a distinctive high-pitched trill or whistle, often described as a ringing “sirrrr” or “seee” call, which they make as they move about in flocks.
• Irruptions: Waxwings are famous for their irruptive behaviour, meaning they do not follow regular migratory patterns. Instead, their movements are largely driven by the availability of food, especially berries. In some years, particularly in Britain, Waxwings may be almost absent, while in other years, they appear in huge numbers.

Breeding and Nesting:

• Breeding Season: Waxwings breed in the remote taiga forests of the far north, primarily in the summer months.
• Nesting: The female builds a cup-shaped nest out of twigs, moss, and lichen, usually high up in coniferous trees. She lays 4 to 6 pale blue eggs speckled with black or brown. Both the male and female take turns incubating the eggs, which hatch after about 14 days.
• Chicks: The chicks are born altricial, meaning they are blind and featherless, relying completely on their parents for food and protection. Both parents feed the chicks a mixture of insects and regurgitated berries.

Conservation Status:

The Waxwing is currently listed as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN, with stable populations across its breeding and wintering ranges. However, because of its irruptive behaviour, local populations can fluctuate dramatically from year to year. Waxwings are highly adaptable to different environments and have benefited from urban plantings of berry-bearing trees and shrubs in wintering areas.

Interesting Facts:

• Wax-like Wing Tips: The red, waxy tips of the secondary feathers, which give the Waxwing its name, are unique to this bird family. The exact function of these waxy appendages is unclear, but they are thought to play a role in mate selection, as older and more mature birds tend to have more prominent wax-tipped feathers.
• Feeding Frenzy: Waxwings are known to eat so many berries that they can sometimes become intoxicated due to the fermentation of the fruit. Flocks have been observed acting unusually or even flying erratically after consuming large quantities of fermented berries.

The Waxwing is a true symbol of winter wanderers, providing a spectacular sight when they appear en masse in urban areas. Their elegant plumage and berry-feasting behaviour make them a favourite among birdwatchers, especially during irruption years.

John Gerrard Keulemans: A Short Biography

John Gerrard Keulemans (1842–1912) was a prolific and influential Dutch bird illustrator whose work remains celebrated for its accuracy and artistic detail. He was born on June 8, 1842, in Rotterdam, Netherlands. From a young age, he showed an interest in natural history, particularly in birds, and this passion guided him toward a career in scientific illustration.

Early Life and Career

Keulemans studied under Hermann Schlegel at the Natural History Museum in Leiden, where he honed his skills as a naturalist and artist. This connection led to one of his early assignments: joining an expedition to West Africa in 1864 to collect specimens. His work during this period helped him establish his reputation as both a naturalist and an illustrator. He documented various species of birds, adding greatly to the knowledge of African avifauna.

Move to London and Prolific Period

In 1869, Keulemans moved to England, where he would spend the rest of his career. London at that time was a hub of scientific research and publishing, making it an ideal base for an artist like Keulemans. He quickly became a leading illustrator for many of the major ornithological works of the 19th century.

Major Works

Keulemans illustrated more than 100 books on natural history, with his most famous contributions to:

• “The Birds of Great Britain” (1862–1873) by John Gould – Keulemans contributed to many of Gould’s other works, but this publication remains one of the most significant.
• “A History of the Birds of New Zealand” (1873, 1888, 1906) by Sir Walter Buller – Keulemans’ illustrations were essential to the understanding of New Zealand’s birdlife.
• “The Ibis” and “Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London” – leading ornithological journals where Keulemans’ works regularly appeared.
• “The Avifauna of Laysan” and “The Birds of the Hawaiian Islands” by R. C. L. Perkins.

Keulemans’ distinctive style involved the meticulous depiction of birds in natural, life-like poses. His plates were highly detailed, showcasing the nuances of feathers and anatomy, and he often portrayed birds in natural habitats to highlight their behaviour and environment.

Style and Techniques

Keulemans mainly worked in lithography, a printmaking process that allowed for mass production of his artwork while maintaining high-quality detail. He was known for his ability to bring a bird’s plumage and colour to life on paper, despite the limitations of the printing techniques of the time. His method involved working with specimens, either from museums or from field collections, to create scientifically accurate and dynamic illustrations.

Personal Life

Keulemans lived in England for much of his life and married in 1871. He fathered 11 children, though only six survived into adulthood. Despite his immense output and contributions to science, Keulemans often struggled financially, a common challenge for many illustrators of his era.

Legacy

John Gerrard Keulemans passed away on March 29, 1912, in Ilford, Essex, England. His legacy is firmly cemented in the world of ornithological illustration. His works continue to be highly regarded for their scientific value and artistic beauty. Many of his original illustrations are held in museums and private collections, and his detailed depictions are still referenced by ornithologists and bird enthusiasts today.

Keulemans’ work represents an important bridge between the art of the natural world and scientific inquiry, providing invaluable insight into bird species from around the world during a period when photography was still in its infancy. His illustrations remain among the finest examples of ornithological art.

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