Bohemian Waxwing vs Cedar Waxwing

In short

The most reliable field mark between Bohemian and Cedar Waxwings is the wing pattern: Bohemian Waxwings (all ages) show bold white and yellow markings on the wings, including white 'tick marks' and a yellow stripe on the primaries, which are absent in Cedar Waxwings. Juvenile and first-winter Bohemians lack some adult features but still differ from Cedars by their wing pattern and overall coloration. Bohemians are noticeably larger and greyer with a richer chestnut undertail, while Cedars are smaller, browner, and have a pale yellow belly and white undertail. Both species can show red waxy tips on the secondaries, but the extent and prominence vary with age and species. In flight or perched, focus on wing and tail pattern, overall size, and undertail color for the quickest separation.

Identification tips

1. Wing pattern (all ages): Bohemian Waxwing shows bold white 'tick marks' on the trailing edge and a yellow stripe on the leading edge of the primaries (adults); even first-winter birds have pale yellow or white leading edges, but never the plain wings of Cedar. Cedar Waxwing lacks both the white and yellow wing marks at all ages.
2. Tail tip color: Bohemian has a broad, bright yellow tail tip (6–11 mm in males, 4–8 mm in females); Cedar has a thinner yellow (or orange) tail tip, sometimes orange if diet includes honeysuckle. Bohemian's tail tip is always yellow, never orange.
3. Undertail color: Bohemian has a rich chestnut lower belly and undertail; Cedar has a pale yellow belly and a white undertail, which is often visible in flight or when perched.
4. Overall coloration: Bohemian is greyer and more buff-grey overall, with a richer chestnut wash on the underparts and around the mask; Cedar is browner above and paler below, with a more uniform, silky brown-gray-yellow appearance.
5. Size and structure: Bohemian is noticeably larger and bulkier, with a proportionally longer tail and heavier build. Cedars are smaller, slimmer, and more delicate. In mixed flocks, Bohemian stands out by size alone.
6. Crest and mask: Both have a crest, but Bohemian's is more pointed; Cedar's crest often lies flat and droops. The black mask on Cedar is bordered by a thin white line above and below, while Bohemian's mask is bolder, with a white streak behind the bill and a white curve below the eye.
7. Red waxy tips: Both species can show red waxy tips on the secondaries, but Bohemian adults have more (6–8 in males, 5–7 in females) and they are longer and more obvious. Cedars usually have fewer and smaller red tips, and young birds may lack them entirely.
8. Juvenile/immature plumage: Juvenile Bohemians are streakier below, lack the black throat and mask, and have duller plumage; first-winter Bohemians still show pale wing edges and lack adult wing marks. Cedar juveniles are streaked on throat and flanks, often lack a full mask, and never show Bohemian's wing pattern.
9. Flight jizz: Both species have strong, direct flight and can resemble starlings, but Bohemian appears bulkier and more robust in the air. Cedar flocks are lighter and more agile.
10. Habitat context: In boreal or northern forests, especially in winter, Bohemian is more likely; in southern or suburban settings, Cedar is expected. Overlap occurs in winter, especially during Bohemian irruptions.
11. Perched posture: Bohemian often sits more upright and appears heavier; Cedar is slimmer and more horizontal when perched.
12. Bill shape: Cedar's bill is short and wide; Bohemian's is similar but appears slightly heavier in proportion to head size.
13. Sex differences: Bohemian males have broader yellow tail tips and more red wax tips than females; Cedar sexes are nearly identical in the field.
14. Seasonal context: In late summer and fall, juvenile/first-winter birds can be confusing; focus on wing pattern and undertail color for best separation.
15. Common pitfalls: Do not rely solely on the presence of a crest or red waxy tips—both species can show these. Always check for white and yellow wing marks (Bohemian only), undertail color, and overall size for the most reliable ID.

Size

Bohemian Waxwing is distinctly larger: 19–23 cm long with a 32–35.5 cm wingspan and about 55 g in weight [wikipedia][avonet]. Cedar Waxwing is smaller at 15–18 cm long, 22–30 cm wingspan, and about 30 g [wikipedia][avonet]. In the field, Bohemians appear bulkier and more robust, while Cedars are noticeably slimmer and more delicate. Tail is also proportionally longer in Bohemian. Size alone is not always diagnostic at a distance, but in mixed flocks or side-by-side, the difference is obvious.

Plumage

Juvenile/first-winter birds: Bohemian Waxwings in first-winter plumage have a white or pale yellow leading edge to the primaries, no white 'tick mark' on the trailing edge, and a narrower yellow tail tip; they also show fewer red wax tips on the secondaries (sometimes none in young females). Juveniles are duller, streakier below, with little or no black throat or mask. Cedar Waxwing immatures are streaked on the throat and flanks, often lacking a full black mask, but their wings lack the bold white and yellow markings of Bohemian at all ages.

Adults: Bohemian Waxwings have a broad yellow tail tip (6–11 mm in males, 4–8 mm in females), a sharply defined black throat, and 6–8 (males) or 5–7 (females) red waxy tips on the secondaries. Their wings show a bright yellow leading edge near the tip and a white 'tick mark' on the trailing edge of the primaries. Cedar Waxwings are overall browner, with a pale yellow belly, white undertail, and a thin yellow (sometimes orange) tail tip. Their wings lack the white and yellow marks, and the red waxy tips are usually fewer and less prominent. Both have a crest and black mask, but the mask on Cedar is bordered by a thin white line. Bohemian's underparts are richer chestnut, especially on the lower belly.

Behaviour

Both species are highly social, often seen in flocks, especially in winter. In flight, both have strong, direct flight and can resemble starlings, but Bohemian flocks appear bulkier and more robust, while Cedar flocks are more agile and lighter. Both species clamber through fruiting trees and bushes, but Bohemians are more likely to be seen in northern or boreal settings, sometimes feeding on the ground, while Cedars are more arboreal and less likely to shuffle on the ground.

Habitat

Bohemian Waxwing breeds in northern forests of the Palearctic and North America, favoring boreal and subarctic zones. Cedar Waxwing is more southern, widespread across temperate North America, and prefers open woodlands, edges, and fruiting trees in suburban and rural areas. In winter, Bohemians may move south and overlap with Cedars, especially in irruption years, but are still more likely in northern or boreal habitats. Habitat alone is not always diagnostic in winter, but Bohemians are rare outside their irruption range.