Cedar waxwings and bohemian waxwings are two very similar species of birds that can be hard to tell apart. Both have gray plumage, a prominent crest, yellow tailband, and red wax-like tips on the wings. However, there are some subtle differences in their size, coloration, range, and behavior that can help you distinguish these two waxwing species.
Size Difference
The most reliable way to tell cedar waxwings and bohemian waxwings apart is by size. Bohemian waxwings are noticeably larger with a total length of 8.5-9.5 inches compared to cedar waxwings which are 6.5-7.5 inches in length. If you can get a good look at the two species side-by-side, the size difference should be apparent.
Bohemian waxwings also have longer wings and tails. Their wingspan ranges from 12.6-15.7 inches while cedar waxwings have a wingspan of just 11-12 inches. The tail of a bohemian waxwing measures about 5 inches long and the tail of a cedar waxwing measures about 4.3 inches. So if you can see the tail clearly during flight or perched, that’s another way to gauge the size.
Subtle Differences in Plumage
The plumage of cedar and bohemian waxwings is very similar with soft gray-brown overall color, a black mask, yellow tailband, and bright red wax-like tips on the secondary wing feathers. However, bohemian waxwings tend to be more boldly patterned with sharper contrast between the gray-brown body plumage and the black mask.
Bohemian waxwings also have more extensive and brighter yellow coloration on the tail. Their yellow tailband extends right to the tip of the tail and onto the underside, while the yellow band on a cedar waxwing is restricted to the upper tail and doesn’t extend all the way to the tip.
The red wax-like tips on the wings tend to be brighter and more extensive in bohemian waxwings as well. The tips look waxy and glossy because they are formed from modified feather shafts rather than colored pigment. This waxy red material is thought to help strengthen the feathers.
Range
The geographic breeding and wintering ranges of these two waxwing species offer a good clue for identification. Cedar waxwings are found throughout North America. They breed primarily across Canada and the northern United States and winter throughout the U.S. and into Mexico.
Bohemian waxwings, however, are found primarily in the northernmost parts of North America. They breed mostly in Canada and Alaska and winter farther north than cedar waxwings, primarily in Canada and the northern U.S. but rarely as far south as Mexico.
So during the breeding season, any waxwings you see in the contiguous U.S. are most likely to be cedar waxwings. In the winter, bohemian waxwings can overlap in range with cedar waxwings but are more likely to occur in northern areas.
Species | Breeding Range | Wintering Range |
---|---|---|
Cedar Waxwing | Across southern Canada and northern U.S. | Throughout U.S. and into Mexico |
Bohemian Waxwing | Across northern Canada and Alaska | Primarily Canada and northern U.S. |
Flock Size and Behavior
These two waxwing species also show some subtle differences in their flocking behavior that can aid identification:
- Cedar waxwings are highly social and congregate in large flocks, especially in the non-breeding season. Flocks can number in the hundreds of birds.
- Bohemian waxwings are also gregarious but tend to travel in smaller flocks of just 20-30 birds during the winter months.
- Cedar waxwings are more likely to associate with other species of songbirds in mixed foraging flocks.
- Bohemian waxwings are less likely to mingle in mixed flocks and more often remain in groups of exclusively other waxwings.
So if you see a very large flock of waxwings in the hundreds, it’s likely to be composed of cedar waxwings. Smaller flocks are more characteristic of the bohemian waxwing.
Diet and Feeding Behavior
These two bird species overlap heavily in their diets, feeding on fruit and berries. However, there are some subtle differences in feeding approaches that can help distinguish them:
- Cedar waxwings will more readily catch insects, often flycatching to snatch them out of the air.
- Bohemian waxwings focus almost exclusively on fruit and do not really engage in flycatching behavior.
- Cedar waxwings rely heavily on ornamental cherry trees and fruit crops while foraging. Bohemian waxwings are more likely to focus on berry bushes.
- Cedar waxwings sometimes get drunk from eating overripe fruit! They can be seen stumbling around and behaving erratically after eating fermented berries.
So if you see waxwings flycatching for insects or foraging heavily in fruit trees, they are likely cedar waxwings. Bohemian waxwings will concentrate mainly on berry bushes and are unlikely to eat fermented, overripe fruit.
Identifying Juveniles
Juvenile cedar and bohemian waxwings look nearly identical. Both have streaky gray-brown plumage without the crisp face pattern and yellow tailband of adults. However, even juvenile bohemian waxwings tend to be a bit larger in size than juvenile cedar waxwings. If you can get a size comparison, that remains the most reliable way to identify the species.
Juveniles of both species also tend to travel in small family groups after leaving the nest rather than large flocks. So flock size is not a helpful clue. Waiting for them to molt into adult plumage when the differences become more apparent is the best approach for identifying juvenile waxwings to species.
Calls and Songs
Cedar and bohemian waxwings make very high-pitched whistling calls that sound nearly identical to human ears. They also have very similar buzzy, trilling courtship songs. So unfortunately their vocalizations do not provide a reliable way to distinguish these two species by sound.
Conclusion
While cedar and bohemian waxwings appear almost identical at first glance, a careful observer can distinguish them by paying attention to subtle differences in size, coloration, range, behavior, and feeding habits. Side-by-side, Bohemian waxwings are distinctly larger with more yellow on the tail, brighter red wingtips, and sharper plumage patterns. Bohemians also tend to travel in smaller flocks, focus more on berry bushes, and occur farther north than cedar waxwings.
Range provides a good clue, as cedar waxwings are widespread throughout the U.S. while bohemian waxwings concentrate in the far north. Flock size can help too, with huge flocks likely to be composed of cedar waxwings. Getting a good look at size and plumage remain the most reliable ways to confirm the identification of these very similar-looking species.
With a bit of practice, birders can master picking out the more subtle field marks that distinguish cedar and bohemian waxwings. Being able to confidently identify species is one of the great joys and ongoing challenges of birding. So get out there, take a close look at any waxwings you encounter, and try your hand at determining whether they are cedars or bohemians.
The cedar waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) and bohemian waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus) belong to the family Bombycillidae. Here are some more details comparing these two bird species:
Taxonomy
The cedar waxwing was first described in 1758 by Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus in the landmark 10th edition of his Systema Naturae. He originally placed it in the genus Ampelis. Its current classification is:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves
- Order: Passeriformes
- Family: Bombycillidae
- Genus: Bombycilla
- Species: Bombycilla cedrorum
The bohemian waxwing was first described in 1786 by German naturalist Johann Friedrich Gmelin and originally placed in the genus Ampelis. Its current classification is:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves
- Order: Passeriformes
- Family: Bombycillidae
- Genus: Bombycilla
- Species: Bombycilla garrulus
Physical Description
In addition to the differences in size, plumage, and markings already described, here are some more physical details comparing cedar and bohemian waxwings:
Feature | Cedar Waxwing | Bohemian Waxwing |
---|---|---|
Length | 6.5-7.5 in | 8.5-9.5 in |
Wingspan | 11-12 in | 12.6-15.7 in |
Weight | 32 grams | 56 grams |
Bill | Short, wide, black | Longer, thinner, black |
Legs | Short, black | Black |
The bohemian waxwing is clearly the larger of the two species with a longer bill and wingspan.
Habitat
Both of these waxwing species primarily inhabit open woodland areas including:
- Coniferous and mixed forests
- Orchards
- Parks and gardens with trees
- Riparian woodlands along streams
They tend to avoid dense, unbroken stands of trees. Flocks forage for fruit in the canopy and middle layers of vegetation. At night they roost in dense trees or shrubs.
During the summer breeding season, bohemian waxwings move to boreal forest habitats farther north. Cedar waxwings nest in forest edges and woodlands throughout their more southerly range.
Diet and Feeding
The diet of both species consists primarily of fruit and berries. Favorite fruits include:
- Cherries
- Serviceberries
- Mountain ash berries
- Hackberries
- Mistletoe berries
- Crabapples
- Juniper berries
- Hawthorn fruits
- Grapes
- Raspberries
- Elderberries
Cedar waxwings supplement their fruit diet with more insects including mayflies, dragonflies, cicadas, and beetles. Bohemian waxwings rarely eat insects. The waxwing name refers to the unique red tips on their secondary wing feathers which resemble sealing wax.
Breeding and Nesting
Another difference between the species is the timing of their breeding season:
- Cedar waxwings nest from late spring through summer (May to August).
- Bohemian waxwings nest later, from late summer through early fall (July to September).
Both build nests high in trees made of grass, twigs, bark strips, and moss. Nests are lined with fine grass and feathers. The female lays 4-5 pale blue or gray eggs with dark blotches. She incubates the eggs for 12-14 days. The young fledge from the nest about 14-18 days after hatching.
Migration
Cedar and bohemian waxwings are both migratory species, though they winter in different regions:
- Cedar waxwings migrate from across southern Canada and the northern U.S. to winter in the southern U.S. and Mexico.
- Bohemian waxwings breed farther north in Canada and Alaska and migrate shorter distances, wintering across southern Canada and the northern U.S.
Flocks start migrating when fruit food sources become scarce. Migrating flocks makerequent stopovers to replenish energy by feasting on fruit.
Status and Conservation
Both the cedar waxwing and bohemian waxwing have an extensive global range and large total population. According to the IUCN Red List, they are classified as Least Concern:
- Cedar waxwing: breeding population estimated at 15 million, winter population may be over 60 million.
- Bohemian waxwing: breeding population estimated at 5.5 million.
Habitat loss and pesticide use do pose some threats. But overall waxwing numbers are steady or increasing in many regions. Monitoring will help ensure these sociable fruit-lovers continue to brighten our winter landscapes.