Cedar Waxwing vs Bohemian Waxwing: How to Tell Them Apart
How to tell a Cedar Waxwing from a Bohemian Waxwing — size, range, family and status compared side by side, with links to each bird’s full ID guide.
The quickest tell is size: the Bohemian Waxwing is noticeably heavier (around 54.4 g) than the Cedar Waxwing (around 31.6 g). Here is how the two compare across every fact we track.
Cedar WaxwingBombycilla cedrorum
Bohemian WaxwingBombycilla garrulusSee the Cedar Waxwing → See the Bohemian Waxwing →
How to tell them apart in the field
Undertail coverts are the clincher: rich rusty-cinnamon on Bohemian, plain white on Cedar; Bohemian is also grayer, larger, and has bold white-and-yellow wing markings.
| Field mark | Cedar Waxwing | Bohemian Waxwing |
|---|---|---|
| Undertail coverts | White undertail coverts | Rich rusty-cinnamon (chestnut) undertail coverts — most reliable mark |
| Wing markings | Wing plain apart from the small red waxy tips; no bold white or yellow rows | Bold white tips on the wing feathers plus a yellow streak down the primaries |
| Belly color | Warm yellowish wash on the belly | Plain cool gray belly (no yellow) |
| Overall tone / size | Warmer sandy tan-brown, smaller and slimmer (~7 in) | Cooler gray with a red-orange face, distinctly larger and bulkier (~8+ in) |
| Voice | Very high, thin, wavering 'seee' | Lower, harder, buzzier/rattling trill |
Telling females & immatures apart: Sexes look alike in both species; use the same marks (undertail coverts, wing pattern, belly tone) for females and immatures. Juveniles of both are grayer and streaky below, but a Bohemian still shows rusty undertail coverts and white/yellow wing marks.
By season, plumage or range: Range/season is a strong prior: Bohemian is a northern/irruptive winter bird of Canada and the northern tier, reaching the Lower 48 mainly in winter and unpredictably; a waxwing seen across most of the U.S. in summer is a Cedar. Winter flocks are where the two can mix and the undertail-coverts check matters most.
By voice: Cedar gives a very high, thin, wavering 'seee'; Bohemian's trill is lower, harder, and buzzier/more rattling.
Side by side
For plumage, calls and the finer field marks, open each bird’s full profile — every one has photos, sounds and ID notes.
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Figures are the data we hold for each species (body weight, size class, family, range and conservation status); they describe typical individuals and can vary. Plumage and voice details live on each bird’s profile.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Bohemian Waxwing bigger than the Cedar Waxwing?
Yes — the Bohemian Waxwing is heavier, around 54.4 g, versus about 31.6 g for the Cedar Waxwing.
Are the Cedar Waxwing and the Bohemian Waxwing related?
Yes — both are Bombycillidae, so they are close relatives.
Do the Cedar Waxwing and the Bohemian Waxwing live in the same places?
Range: their ranges overlap in North America.
