Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus) is in the Waxwings family (Bombycillidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 2,391 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in February.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: winter visitor. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Bohemian Waxwing: observations by month (U.S.)
About Bohemian Waxwing
The Bohemian waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus) is a starling-sized passerine bird that breeds in the northern forests of Eurasia and North America. It has mainly buff-grey plumage, black face markings and a pointed crest. Its wings are patterned with white and bright yellow, and some feather tips have the red waxy appearance that give this species its English name. The three subspecies show only minor differences in appearance. Females are similar to males, although young birds are...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Bohemian Waxwing by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vermont | 361 | March | Feb–Apr |
| Alaska | 358 | January | Nov–Apr |
| Minnesota | 245 | February | Jan–Feb |
| Maine | 196 | February | Jan–Apr |
| Michigan | 171 | January | Nov–Feb |
| Idaho | 169 | February | Jan–Feb |
| Colorado | 150 | February | Jan–Feb |
| Montana | 126 | February | Nov–Apr |
| Washington | 111 | January | Dec–Jan |
| Utah | 89 | December | Dec–Feb |
| New York | 64 | February | Feb–Mar |
| Oregon | 56 | December | Dec–Jan |
| Wisconsin | 50 | December | Nov–Feb |
| Massachusetts | 49 | March | Feb–Apr |
| New Hampshire | 48 | February | Jan–Apr |
| Wyoming | 43 | March | Mar–Mar |
| Nevada | 24 | January | Dec–Feb |
| California | 16 | January | Jan–Feb |
| Ohio | 14 | March | Mar–Mar |
| North Dakota | 13 | March | Mar–Apr |
| New Mexico | 8 | January | Jan–Feb |
| South Dakota | 8 | February | Jan–Mar |
| Illinois | 6 | January | Dec–Mar |
| New Jersey | 6 | February | Jan–Mar |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related birds (Waxwings)
Photography tips
- Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
- Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
- Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
- Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Bohemian Waxwing?
Nationally, February has the most observations, with the main season from December to April.
Where is Bohemian Waxwing most often seen?
The most observations come from Vermont, Alaska, Minnesota.