4 replies to this topic

[Laurel99]

I'm house-sitting in Northern Wisconsin. Today a flock (50+) of Cedar Waxwings showed up in the yard. It was a beautiful sight to see!!  I'm used to seeing them in the spring/summer/fall, but I'm curious, how common is it for them to be this far north in the winter?  My regional guidebook says it's uncommon for this area.

Also, I understand Bohemian Waxwings can be found in this area in the winter.  In regions where they overlap at certain times of year, is it common for them to flock together?

Thanks for your help.

[snowyowl]

If you saw a flock of waxwings this time of year in Wisconsin, you were most fortunate to have seen a flock of Bohemian Waxwings, a species seen in the lower 48 only during the cold weather months. Cedar Waxwings normally have migrated further south for the winter and would be most unusual in your area at this time of year. Both are beautiful birds.  The Bohemian is larger, has yellow on the wingtips, a rufous undertail, and a breast that is gray compared to brown in the Cedar Waxwing. Here they are together, Bohemian on the left.

Attached Files

•  Bohemin Waxwing vs Cedar Waxwing.jpg   272.91K   0 downloads

[Laurel99]

Hi Snowy.  Thanks for the reply.  All of the ones I could see clearly were Cedars.  This is the best photo I could get (heavily cropped) as I was shooting through a window.   I was so surprised when I looked out and saw them, although up until a week ago, we've had a much milder winter than normal so maybe that has something to do with it.

 

Attached Files

•  Cedar Waxwings2.jpg   217.42K   0 downloads

[snowyowl]

Well, you made a liar out of me!  Those certainly are Cedar Waxwings without a doubt.

[Laurel99]

Not a liar, you were simply as surprised as I was to see them