Birdwatchers across North America often confuse Cedar Waxwings and Bohemian Waxwings. At first glance, these elegant songbirds appear almost identical. Both belong to the waxwing family, share silky plumage, wear a distinctive black face mask, and display bright red wax-like tips on their wing feathers.
However, despite their similarities, these two species differ in their appearance, habitat, behavior, range, diet, and breeding ecology.
In this guide, we’ll compare Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) and Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus), covering everything from physical characteristics to migration patterns, vocalizations, and conservation status.
Quick Comparison: Cedar Waxwing vs Bohemian Waxwing
| Feature | Cedar Waxwing | Bohemian Waxwing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Bombycilla cedrorum | Bombycilla garrulus |
| Average Length | 15–18 cm (6–7 in) | 19–23 cm (7.5–9 in) |
| Wingspan | 22–30 cm | 30–36 cm |
| Weight | 30–35 g | 55–70 g |
| Range | North and Central America | Northern Eurasia and North America |
| Preferred Habitat | Woodlands, suburbs, orchards | Boreal forests, taiga |
| Diet | Fruits, berries, insects | Mainly berries, insects seasonally |
| Crest | Small and pointed | Larger and fuller |
| Belly Color | Pale yellow | Gray |
| Under-tail Coverts | White | Rich chestnut-rust |
| Wing Markings | Red wax tips | Red wax tips plus white and yellow markings |
Meet the Waxwing Family
Waxwings belong to the family Bombycillidae, a small family of passerine birds known for their soft plumage, social behavior, and remarkable fruit-eating habits.
Only three living waxwing species exist worldwide:
- Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)
- Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus)
- Japanese Waxwing (Bombycilla japonica)
Among these, Cedar and Bohemian Waxwings are the two species most frequently encountered by birdwatchers in North America.
Physical Differences
1. Overall Size
The easiest distinction is size.
Bohemian Waxwings are noticeably larger and heavier than Cedar Waxwings.
- Cedar Waxwing: about 6–7 inches long
- Bohemian Waxwing: about 8–9 inches long
When seen side by side, the Bohemian appears stockier with a broader chest and thicker neck.
2. Plumage Color
Cedar Waxwing
The Cedar Waxwing has:
- Warm brown head
Smooth tan body - Soft yellow belly
- Gray wings
- Bright yellow tail tip
Its plumage creates an elegant gradient from brown to pale yellow.
Bohemian Waxwing
The Bohemian Waxwing has:
- Cool gray body
- Cinnamon face
- Rich chestnut under-tail coverts
- White and yellow wing patches
- Bright yellow tail band
Overall, the Bohemian looks bolder and more colorful.
3. Wing Markings
Wing patterns provide one of the most reliable identification features.
Cedar Waxwing
- Small red wax tips
- Plain gray wings
- Minimal white markings
Bohemian Waxwing
- Red wax tips
- Large white wing patches
- Bright yellow edging
- More decorative appearance
If you notice striking white stripes on the wings, you’re almost certainly looking at a Bohemian Waxwing.
4. Under-tail Coverts
Birders often check the feathers beneath the tail.
- Cedar Waxwing → white
- Bohemian Waxwing → rusty chestnut
This is one of the most dependable field marks.
5. Crest Shape
Both species have elegant crests.
However:
- Cedar Waxwing → narrow, pointed crest
- Bohemian Waxwing → larger, fuller crest
The Bohemian’s crest gives it a more robust appearance.
Geographic Distribution
Cedar Waxwing Range
Cedar Waxwings are widespread throughout:
- Southern Canada
- Most of the United States
- Mexico
- Central America
Many populations migrate seasonally, while southern birds remain year-round.
They are among the most common fruit-eating birds in suburban neighborhoods.
Bohemian Waxwing Range
Bohemian Waxwings occupy much colder regions.
Their breeding range includes:
- Alaska
- Northern Canada
- Scandinavia
- Siberia
- Arctic forests
During winter, they move south into:
- Northern United States
- Central Europe
- Northern China
Unlike Cedar Waxwings, Bohemian Waxwings rarely breed in populated areas.
Habitat Preferences
Cedar Waxwing Habitat
They favor:
- Deciduous woodlands
- Parks
- Orchards
- Gardens
- River edges
- Suburban neighborhoods
They thrive wherever fruit-bearing trees are abundant.
Bohemian Waxwing Habitat
They prefer:
- Boreal forests
- Taiga
- Spruce forests
- Mountain conifer forests
During winter, they often visit towns searching for ornamental berry trees.
Diet Comparison
Both species are highly frugivorous, meaning fruit forms the majority of their diet.
Cedar Waxwing Diet
Favorite foods include:
- Cedar berries
- Juniper berries
- Dogwood berries
- Cherries
- Mulberries
- Blueberries
- Serviceberries
During summer they also consume:
- Flying insects
- Beetles
- Dragonflies
- Mayflies
Interestingly, Cedar Waxwings catch insects in midair like flycatchers.
Bohemian Waxwing Diet
Bohemian Waxwings rely even more heavily on berries.
They commonly eat:
- Rowan berries
- Mountain ash
- Crabapples
- Juniper berries
- Cotoneaster berries
In breeding season they supplement with:
- Mosquitoes
- Midges
- Caterpillars
- Beetles
- Feeding Behavior
Both species often feed in large flocks.
One fascinating behavior is fruit passing, where birds pass berries from one individual to another before finally eating them.
This appears to strengthen pair bonds during courtship.
They also consume berries extremely quickly.
A flock can strip an entire fruiting tree within hours.
Vocalizations
Both waxwings produce high-pitched, thin whistles.
Cedar Waxwing Call
- Higher pitch
- Softer
- Repeated “seeee” whistles
Bohemian Waxwing Call
- Lower
- Buzzier
- More trilling
Birders often identify flying flocks long before seeing them by recognizing these distinctive calls.
Breeding and Nesting
Cedar Waxwing
Breeding season:
- June to August
Nest location:
- Small trees
- Shrubs
- Woodland edges
Clutch size:
- 3–6 eggs
Both parents help raise the chicks.
Bohemian Waxwing
Breeding season:
- May to July
Nest location:
- Spruce trees
- Fir trees
- Boreal conifers
Clutch size:
- 4–6 eggs
Because northern summers are short, nesting progresses rapidly.
Migration Patterns
Cedar Waxwing
Migration depends on berry availability rather than temperature.
Some populations migrate thousands of miles.
Others remain year-round.
This irregular movement makes them somewhat unpredictable.
Bohemian Waxwing
Bohemian Waxwings are famous for irruptive migration.
Every few years, when northern berry crops fail, enormous flocks move far south.
These irruptions can bring thousands of birds into cities where they are normally absent.
Behavior
Both species are highly social.
Common behaviors include:
- Traveling in flocks
- Communal roosting
- Cooperative feeding
- Pair bonding through fruit sharing
Waxwings are unusually gentle birds, rarely showing aggressive behavior compared to many other songbirds.
Lifespan
Average lifespan:
Cedar Waxwing
- Wild: 5–8 years
- Maximum recorded: over 13 years
Bohemian Waxwing
- Wild: 5–10 years
- Maximum recorded: over 15 years
Predators include:
- Sharp-shinned Hawks
- Cooper’s Hawks
- Merlins
- Domestic cats
Conservation Status
Fortunately, both species are currently considered to have stable global populations.
Cedar Waxwing
Population trends remain generally stable due to their adaptability to suburban environments with ornamental fruit trees.
Bohemian Waxwing
Populations are also stable, although climate change may gradually alter the extent of suitable boreal breeding habitat over the coming decades.
Final Thoughts
Although Cedar Waxwings and Bohemian Waxwings share an unmistakable elegance and many similar behaviors, they are distinct species with unique adaptations. Cedar Waxwings are smaller, warmer-toned birds that flourish across North America’s woodlands, orchards, and suburban landscapes, while Bohemian Waxwings are larger, colder-climate specialists of the boreal forest, recognized by their striking wing patches and chestnut under-tail feathers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Cedar Waxwings and Bohemian Waxwings the same species?
No. Although they belong to the same genus (Bombycilla) and share many physical characteristics, they are separate species with different ranges, sizes, and plumage patterns.
Which waxwing is larger?
The Bohemian Waxwing is noticeably larger and heavier than the Cedar Waxwing. It also has broader wings and a more robust body.
Can the two species be seen together?
Yes. During winter, especially in western Canada, Alaska, and parts of the northern United States, their ranges may overlap. Mixed flocks occasionally occur where berry supplies are abundant.
Why do waxwings have red wax tips on their wings?
The bright red, wax-like appendages are modified feather tips. Scientists believe they may play a role in mate selection and age recognition, although their exact function is still being studied.
Do both species eat insects?
Yes. Both species consume insects during the breeding season to provide protein for themselves and their growing chicks. However, fruit remains their primary food source for much of the year.
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