The Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus) is a medium-sized songbird that breeds in the boreal forest regions of Canada and Alaska. It gets its name from its crested head, brown and gray plumage, and wax-like wingtips. Bohemian Waxwings are highly social, nomadic birds that travel in large flocks of hundreds or even thousands of individuals. In winter, they can turn up almost anywhere in North America in search of fruit. Let’s take a closer look at where Bohemian Waxwings live and their range.
Breeding Range
Bohemian Waxwings breed in the northern boreal forests of Canada and Alaska. Their breeding range extends from Alaska across northern Canada to Labrador and Newfoundland. They nest in coniferous and mixed forests, preferring older stands with some openings. Specific breeding locations include:
- Alaska – Central and eastern regions
- Yukon and Northwest Territories
- British Columbia and Alberta – Northern regions
- Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario – Northern boreal forests
- Quebec – Northern taiga forests
- Newfoundland and Labrador
Within their breeding range, Bohemian Waxwings tend to be widespread but sporadic nesters. They are not territorial and nest semi-colonially, with loose groups of nests clustered together. However, they require very specific nesting habitat – older upland forests with meadow openings and a source of water. Their reliance on these patchy nesting requirements, along with nomadic flocking behavior, leads to an irregular distribution pattern within their northern breeding range.
Winter Range
During the winter months, Bohemian Waxwings move south across much of North America in search of fruit. However, they remain primarily in northern regions and are considered an irruptive winter visitor in more southern areas.
Their winter range includes:
- Alaska and Canada – Winters across southern portions
- Northern U.S. – Winters down to the northern borders of states including Washington, Montana, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, and Maine
- Mountain West – Irregular in winter down to elevations of 5,000-6,000 feet in California, Colorado, Utah, and other states
- Pacific Northwest – Winters regularly west of the Cascades; irregular east of the Cascades
- Midwest – Irruptive visitor, mainly to northwest portion
- Northeast – Irruptive visitor, mainly to northernmost states
Bohemian Waxwings are primarily found in areas with fruit-bearing trees and shrubs in winter, including mountain ash, crabapple, and ornamental landscape plantings. Their winter range can fluctuate from year to year depending on fruit crop abundance. In poor fruit years they may move further south than normal, while remaining in the far north in years with ample fruit.
Migration
Bohemian Waxwings are considered an irruptive migrant species. This means they have unpredictable migration patterns that vary significantly from year to year depending on food availability. Rather than follow a consistent seasonal route, they wander nomadically in search of fruit sources.
In fall, they migrate south on a broad front across North America, following fruit abundance. Some remain as far north as food allows, while others may occasionally reach Mexico and the southeastern U.S. Spring migration is typically earlier but more rapid along a northwest track back to the breeding grounds.
Migration occurs during September-November and March-May. Peak movements occur October-November and April-May. However, as an irruptive migrant, Bohemian Waxwings may wander and migrate opportunistically all winter long in search of fruit.
Year-Round Range
Bohemian Waxwings can be found nearly year-round throughout much of their breeding range in Alaska and northern Canada where fruit crops allow. However, most birds retreat south in winter to areas with more reliable food sources. The only major region inhabited year-round is:
- Southeast Alaska – Remains throughout the year in coastal areas where mountain ash berries persist.
Habitat
During the breeding season, Bohemian Waxwings inhabit older coniferous and mixed forests in northern regions. They require mature upland forests with meadow openings for nesting. In winter, they are flexible and occupy a variety of open habitats with fruit sources, including rural, suburban, and urban areas with ornamental trees and shrubs.
Specific breeding habitats include:
- Mature spruce, fir, pine, larch forests
- Forest openings and edges
- Muskegs with scattered trees
In winter they frequent:
- Orchards
- Parks and yards with fruit trees/shrubs
- Urban areas with ornamental plantings
- Mountain ash forests
- Partially open habitats near fruit sources
At all seasons, they require a source of fruits or berries to feed on.
Range Maps
Here are some maps highlighting the breeding, wintering, and year-round range of the Bohemian Waxwing:
Breeding Range | Winter Range | Year-Round Range |
Interesting Facts about Bohemian Waxwing Range and Distribution
Here are some interesting facts about the range and distribution of Bohemian Waxwings:
- Bohemian Waxwings have one of the most northerly distributions of any songbird that regularly winters in North America.
- Their breeding and wintering ranges only have a small zone of overlap in northwest Canada.
- They are flexible and opportunistic in winter, tracking fruit crops and ornamental berry plantings, even turning up in unusual southern locations like Florida and Texas in some years.
- Bohemian Waxwings wander extensively in winter and may log thousands of miles following fruit availability.
- In winter they often return to the same areas year after year if food sources are reliable.
- Extensive fruit plantings in suburbs and parks have allowed Bohemian Waxwings to winter farther south in recent decades than they did historically.
- Bohemian Waxwings are altitudinal migrants, moving to lower elevations in winter and higher elevations in summer.
Why Does their Range Follow Fruit Availability?
Bohemian Waxwings have an unusual reliance on fruit that influences both their breeding and wintering distribution patterns. Here’s why fruit availability shapes their range:
- Fruit-centric diet – Up to 85% of their annual diet can consist of fruit. They rely especially on berries in winter.
- Nomadic habits – They wander and migrate opportunistically in search of the most abundant fruit sources.
- Irruptive migration – Their migration is irregular, tracking fruit crops which vary in size from year to year.
- Freeze tolerance – They can withstand freezing temperatures and linger far north as long as some fruit remains.
- Fruit for breeding – Access to summer fruits helps sustain adults and feed nestlings.
- Limited insect diet – Unlike many other songbirds, they cannot switch to insects in winter when fruits are lacking.
In essence, Bohemian Waxwings have evolved a strong dietary reliance and preference for fruits. Where fruits are found, waxwings are found.
How is their Range Changing?
Several factors related to climate change, urbanization, and fruit cultivation are causing Bohemian Waxwings’ range to shift and expand in recent decades:
- Warmer winters in northern areas allow them to winter farther north than historically normal.
- Increasing ornamental fruit plantings in suburban areas provide new winter habitat.
- Some breeding range expansion northward in Canada as boreal habitat warms.
- Irruptions into unusual southern locations are becoming more frequent as winter weather patterns become more variable.
- Earlier spring bloom of fruit trees in some areas leads to earlier nesting.
Their flexible, opportunistic habits allow Bohemian Waxwings to take advantage of these habitat changes and modify their migratory patterns and range. However, some scientists warn that increasing warm weather patterns could result in breeding habitat loss if boreal forests transition to temperate forests.
Conclusion
In summary, Bohemian Waxwings have a breeding range confined to northern boreal forests and an irregular winter range that extends across much of northern North America. Their distribution closely tracks the seasonal availability of fruits and berries. Nomadic flocking habits and an irruptive migration allow them to wander widely in search of food. Climate change and urban fruit plantings are modifying their range, but they remain dependent on boreal breeding habitat and winter fruit supplies.