Patient Update: Bohemian and Cedar Waxwings, A Bird Lover’s Guide
- Calgary Wildlife
- 3 minutes ago
- 4 min read
On November 26th, 2025, a Bohemian Waxwing from Canmore, Alberta, was brought into our facility after being found with a drooping right wing. The bird was alert, in good body condition, and able to hock-sit, but it struggled to extend the injured wing.
The cause wasn’t certain. It may have hit a window, and there were reports that magpies attacked it afterward. Whatever happened, this beautiful little bird arrived needing care and quiet.
Waxwings are stunning up close with soft feathers, delicate colours, and a calm presence. Even while injured, this one carried a kind of quiet charm that made you pause and appreciate it. Some animals simply inspire you to write about them, and this waxwing was one of them.
Calgary enjoys the best of both waxwing worlds: the elegant, warm-toned Cedar Waxwings of summer and the striking, gray-cloaked Bohemian Waxwings that brighten the winter months. Their nomadic nature makes every sighting feel special, adding a spark of life and colour to the prairie city year-round.
Few birds capture the imagination of winter and summer birders like waxwings. Highly social birds that appear to have no sense of personal space, North America's two waxwing species, Bohemian and Cedar, also look very similar. Telling these elegant birds apart makes for an excellent ID challenge.
With their silky plumage, elegant crests, and bright red “wax” tips, both Bohemian and Cedar Waxwings bring a touch of charm to Calgary’s parks and neighbourhoods. Though similar at first glance, they differ in size, markings, seasonal habits, and migration patterns.
Bohemian Waxwing
Larger and slightly heavier.
Cool gray body with a rich cinnamon face mask
Rusty under-tail coverts (a key ID feature)
Bold white and yellow wing markings.
Forms large, noisy flocks in winter. Generally makes a more guttural rattling trill, like a wet metal whistle.
Cedar Waxwing
Smaller, slimmer, similar in size to a large sparrow, and more delicate-looking with
warm brown plumage fading into pale yellow on the belly.
White under-tail coverts
Subtler wing markings.
Seen in small groups with extremely high-pitched whistles and trills, which can sound almost insect-like.
Waxwings are special for a mix of beauty, behaviour, and lifestyle that you do not often see together in birds. Their striking appearance is unmistakable, with soft plumage and elegant crests. Both Bohemian and Cedar Waxwings are graceful flyers, with Cedar Waxwings known to dart out after insects in the summer. Highly social, both species flock together, sharing information on food sources. Courtship rituals are charming to witness, with Cedar Waxwings often exchanging gifts as part of their bonding. Their high-pitched trills give away their presence even before you see them. Remarkably resilient, waxwings can withstand very cold temperatures, breeding farther north than most songbirds.
Waxwings are nomadic, often travelling in search of fruit rather than following strict migratory routes. Bohemian Waxwings breed in the far northern boreal forests. When winter sets in and food becomes scarce, they move south. Calgary is one of their favourite wintering grounds. You can expect to see them from late fall through early spring, usually from November to March, feeding on mountain ash, crabapple trees, and ornamental berry shrubs across the city.
Cedar Waxwings follow a more classic North American migration pattern. They breed across much of southern Canada, including Calgary. They are most visible from May to September, commonly raising their young in local green spaces. Some stay year-round if berry crops are plentiful. Although they are berry-eaters, they often indulge in fly-catching. Cedar Waxwings are most common near the Bow and Elbow River valleys, local parks, and suburban areas with fruiting shrubs.
The right image shows the Bohemian Waxwing thriving in its indoor enclosure at the Calgary Wildlife Rehabilitation Society.
The left image shows the Bohemian Waxwing in the outside songbird aviary at the Calgary Wildlife Rehabilitation Society.
The Bohemian Waxwing rehabilitated at the Calgary Wildlife Rehabilitation Society was deemed healthy and strong enough to be released back into the wild. Its release was scheduled for the 7th of January. However, because waxwings are highly social birds that travel and forage in flocks, careful consideration had to be given to the release location. Releasing the bird in isolation could reduce its chances of survival.
Our team set out to find a release site near where the waxwing was originally found, and where flocks of Bohemian Waxwings had recently been seen. It took 20 days after the bird was deemed ready, but patience paid off. Once a suitable location was identified, we released the waxwing, watching as it rejoined its kind and took its first wild flight after recovery, a hopeful conclusion to its rehabilitation journey.
Releases like this are a reminder of the importance of species-specific care and thoughtful planning, ensuring that every animal not only survives rehabilitation but also has the best chance to thrive once returned to its natural environment.
For assistance with injured and orphaned wildlife, please contact Calgary Wildlife Rehabilitation Society at 403-214-1312.