Waxwings!

Mar 18, 2010

By Steve Blight

This flock of Bohemian Waxwings was spotted during the Mississippi Valley Field Naturalists’ Christmas Bird Count. Photo by Howard Robinson

I remember the first time I saw a waxwing. I was living in Calgary and enjoying a walk in a forested area by the Elbow River when I saw a medium-sized songbird with a crest and black face mask that I had never seen before. Excitedly thumbing through my new bird book, I quickly identified it as a Cedar Waxwing, and my love affair for waxwings had begun.

Waxwings are very handsome birds, dressed in soft, silky plumage and sporting a crest resembling that worn by the cardinal. There are two species of these gregarious birds in our area, Bohemian Waxwings and Cedar Waxwings. Although both species can be seen in our area in winter, neither is a reliable winter visitor. Both species feed primarily on berries, although insects are also consumed in summer.

Bohemian Waxwings breed in summer in north western North America in coniferous woodlands and treed bogs. In winter they move around in search of fruit. Sometimes they spread far to the east and south across North America where they can be seen in rural areas and in cities and towns feeding on fruit bearing trees such as mountain ash, juniper or crab apple. They are about the size of Red-winged Blackbirds, with mainly pinkish-grey plumage, a black mask and chin patch, and a yellow tipped tail. If you look closely, you may see small dashes of crimson on their wing feathers – thus revealing why they are called waxwings. They tend to feed in medium to large flocks, all the while singing a high-pitched song described in some books as a “buzzy whistled hiss”. It may be hard to imagine what this sounds like, but once heard there is often an “aha” moment – so that’s what a buzzy whistled hiss sounds like!

Cedar Waxwings are slightly smaller, yellowish brown versions of their Bohemian cousins, with sleek crests, yellow bellies, and black masks and chin patches. Cedars share the crimson dots on the wings and yellow tail bands of the Bohemians. Unlike Bohemians, Cedar Waxwings breed across southern Canada and the northern Unlisted States. They often nest later than most summer birds, perhaps related to their fondness for berries, many of which begin to ripen in late June and early July. Cedars sound similar to Bohemians, only higher pitched and a bit softer.

In summer, Cedar Waxwings prefer open woodlands, old fields or around dwellings, and often near water – practically any place with trees or shrubs and plenty of berries. In winter they withdraw southwards from the northern parts of their summer range, but can be found in our area. One good place to look for them is in areas with large numbers of junipers – either Red Cedars or the low growing juniper shrubs. One bright winter day a few years ago I saw a mixed flock of Cedar and Bohemian Waxwings numbering in the hundreds, foraging on berries in an extensive patch of junipers underneath a high tension hydro line.

Populations of both waxwing species are considered healthy. In fact, numbers of both have been rising across North America since the 1970s. Some believe that these increases began with the elimination of DDT in North America, while others suggest that it may also be related to an increase in fruit bearing trees and shrubs. One concern noted is the frequency with which both species tend to be killed by hitting windows or by being struck by cars as they feed in trees and bushes near buildings or roadways.

Binoculars are especially handy to get a close look at the delicate plumage of waxwings. While both species of waxwings are a little scarce in our area this winter, perhaps a few people will get a good look at one of these endearing birds before spring arrives – but they will have to prepare themselves for the beginning of their own love affairs with waxwings.

Please feel free to report any observations to Lorraine Julien at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or Steve Blight at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.