Bohemian Waxwing vs Cedar Waxwing: Identification Differences
Learn to tell Bohemian and Cedar Waxwings apart in prairie groves. Compare plumage, wing markings, body size, and behavior, with tips for field observation.
Contents
- What is the main difference between Bohemian and Cedar Waxwings?
- How do body size and shape compare?
- What are the wing markings to look for?
- What other plumage differences help?
- Comparison table: Bohemian vs Cedar Waxwing
- Where and when do you see each species in prairie groves?
- How can you observe these differences patiently and respectfully?
What is the main difference between Bohemian and Cedar Waxwings?
The most reliable field mark is the color of the undertail coverts. Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) have white undertail coverts, while Bohemian Waxwings show rich cinnamon or rusty undertail coverts. This difference is visible even when the birds are perched high or in flight, making it the first thing to check.
Both species are sleek, crested birds with silky plumage, but their overall size and wing details also help separate them.
How do body size and shape compare?
Body size offers a clue at a distance. Bohemian Waxwings are slightly larger and bulkier, about 8.5 inches (21.5 cm) long with a wingspan of 14.5 inches (37 cm). Cedar Waxwings measure about 7 inches (18 cm) with a 12-inch (30 cm) wingspan. Bohemians also have a grayer, more rounded head and a shaggier crest, while Cedars appear slimmer with a warmer brown head and a sleeker crest.
What are the wing markings to look for?
Wing markings are distinctive on both species, but differ in pattern and color. Both have red, waxy tips on the secondary feathers (the source of the name "waxwing"), but Bohemian Waxwings show bold white and yellow markings on the wing: a white bar across the primaries and a yellow or white stripe along the wing edge. Cedar Waxwings lack the white wing bar; their wings are plain gray-brown with only the red tips. On perched Bohemians, the white wing patch is often visible as a pale line.
In flight, Bohemian Waxwings reveal white patches on the wings and a yellow or white band at the tail tip. Cedar Waxwings have no wing patches and a yellow tail band only.
What other plumage differences help?
Beyond the undertail coverts and wings, examine the head and throat. Bohemian Waxwings have a black mask that extends farther back and a chestnut or cinnamon wash on the forehead and face. Cedar Waxwings have a more sharply defined black mask that does not reach as far back, and their forehead is often tinged with brown or tan, not chestnut. The belly of a Bohemian is grayish, while a Cedar's belly is often yellow or pale yellow.
Juvenile Cedar Waxwings are streakier and lack the red wing tips and full mask, while first-winter Bohemians can be similarly dull, so relying on one feature alone can mislead. Combining size, shape, and multiple field marks is best.
Comparison table: Bohemian vs Cedar Waxwing
| Feature | Bohemian Waxwing | Cedar Waxwing |
|---|---|---|
| Undertail coverts | Rusty or cinnamon | White |
| Body size | Larger (8.5 in / 21.5 cm) | Smaller (7 in / 18 cm) |
| Wing markings | White and yellow bars, white patches | Plain gray, no white bar |
| Belly color | Grayish | Yellowish |
| Head pattern | Grayer, chestnut forehead, shaggy crest | Warmer brown, black mask crisp |
| Tail tip | Yellow or white band | Yellow band |
| Voice | Lower-pitched, rougher trill | High, thin, lisping trill |
Where and when do you see each species in prairie groves?
In prairie groves, Cedar Waxwings are common summer residents and sometimes linger into winter. Bohemian Waxwings are irruptive winter visitors, appearing in flocks when mountain ash, juniper, or crabapple crops are abundant. Seeing both species together is possible in winter, especially near fruiting trees, making the comparison of undertail coverts and size practical.
How can you observe these differences patiently and respectfully?
Start by scanning flocks with binoculars. Look first at the undertail coverts—white means Cedar, rusty means Bohemian. Then note overall size and head shape. Watch for wing markings when birds fly or perch sideways. Keep a field notebook and jot down what you see. Approach slowly and avoid flushing birds from feeding areas. Use quiet voice and stay on trails. In winter, fruiting trees concentrate waxwings; visiting the same grove repeatedly across weeks can reveal shifts in flock composition as Bohemians move south.
Learning to identify waxwings deepens your connection to the prairie landscape. Each sighting becomes a note in the seasonal story of the groves.