The Bohemian Waxwing is a beautiful songbird with a prominent crest. These sleek grey birds live in pine forests across northern North America, as well as northern parts of Eurasia. It is one of three waxwing species found in the world. The others are the Cedar Waxwing and the Japanese Waxwing.
Bohemian Waxwings are mostly brown in plumage, with a gray-brown belly which helps to distinguish it from the Cedar Waxwing. They have a dark mask around the eyes and are named for the wax-like red tips found on some of their wing feathers.
Bohemian Waxwings breed in coniferous forests and move about outside of the breeding season depending on the availability of food. Their erratic seasonal movements mean they may be seen outside of their normal range in the winter months, to the delight of birders.
Bohemian Waxwings are on the move this winter! A poor berry crop in their northern range may be driving them outside of their usual winter haunts. Flocks have been seen around southern Lake Michigan and individuals have been reported in many northeastern states in the U.S. The... Read more »
