Bohemian Waxwing

The Holden Arboretum > Horticulture > Conservation > Bird Bios > Bohemian Waxwing

On Jan. 11, 2013, a visitor reported seeing a bohemian waxwing near the parking lot at the Warren H. Corning Visitor Center. As word spread, the bohemian waxwing was seen by other birders near the parking area and over in Holden’s holly collection on the east side of Sperry Road. Several of our members were able to capture photos of the bird, which is normally not found south of Lake Erie.

The bohemian waxwing is a little larger than the common cedar waxwing, with reddish feathers under its tail and white markings on its wings.  According to Larry Rosche’s Birds of the Cleveland Region, the last reported sighting of a bohemian waxwing at Holden was in March 1962.

Birders also spotted a hoary redpoll on the grounds this weekend. Learn more and see a visitor photo of the hoary redpoll.

Here are a few of the photos visitors shared with us:

Bohemian Waxwing photo by Matt Valencic
Bohemian Waxwing photo by Matt Valencic
Bohemian Waxwing photo by Matt Valencic
Bohemian Waxwing in holly collection. Photo by Tom Frankel
Bohemian Waxwing photo by Tom Frankel
Chuck Slusarczyk Jr. captured this shot of the bohemian waxwing, lower right, with two cedar waxwings. You can see the red feathers under the bird’s tail, as opposed to the white feathers on the common waxwing.
Bohemian waxwing in flight by Chuck Slusarczyk Jr.
Bohemian waxwing (center) with two cedar waxwings by Chuck Slusarczyk Jr.
Bohemian waxwing, lower right, with two cedar waxwings. The whiter feathers on the bohemian’s breast is visible here. Photo by Frank Buck.