Bohemian Waxwing

The Bohemian Waxwing is the Cedar Waxwing's larger, wilder northern cousin — a sleek, crested bird with a peach-blushed face, waxy red wing tips, and an air of elegant unpredictability. They breed across Canada's vast boreal forest and descend on towns and cities in winter in spectacular, nomadic flocks that can number in the hundreds or even thousands. When a flock arrives, they strip berry-laden trees with astonishing speed and efficiency, gorging on mountain ash, crabapple, and hawthorn fruit. Their movements are driven entirely by food supply, making them gloriously unpredictable — some winters they flood southern cities, other years they barely appear. A Bohemian Waxwing invasion is one of Canadian winter birding's greatest events.

Bohemian Waxwings are the larger, more northern cousin of the Cedar Waxwing, and they share the same fruit obsession. They descend in massive winter flocks to strip berry-laden trees in hours. At feeders, raisins, dried cranberries, and fruit-rich blends are the only offerings that interest them. When a flock arrives, the show is spectacular.

Same approach as Cedar Waxwings: a large platform feeder or open tray with fruit and fruit-rich blends. Bohemian Waxwings travel in bigger flocks, so you'll want a wide feeding surface. Berry-producing trees (mountain ash, crabapple) are the primary draw — if your neighbourhood has them, feeders stocked with dried fruit become an excellent supplement.

Like Cedar Waxwings but even more dependent on large berry crops. Mountain ash is the Bohemian Waxwing's single most important urban food source across western and northern Canada. Planting mountain ash, crabapple, or hawthorn trees is the best long-term attraction strategy. They arrive in huge winter flocks and need significant fruit volume, so multiple trees are better than one. A heated birdbath is especially valuable during their winter visits when natural water sources are frozen.