Bohemian Waxwings in Colorado
When bohemian waxwings are present in Colorado, when they nest, which native Colorado plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 3a–7b yard.
- Status in Colorado
- Winter visitor
- Nesting window
- Does not typically nest here
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3a–7b
When to expect bohemian waxwings in Colorado
In Colorado, bohemian waxwings are winter visitors rather than breeders. Cold snaps alternate with sunny, dry thaws; heated baths are valuable because natural water freezes nightly.
Semi-arid high plains in the east and the Rocky Mountains through the center, with most backyards between 5,000 and 7,000 ft.
Native Colorado plants that attract bohemian waxwings
Of the regional native plants we track for Colorado, these 8 provide food or cover bohemian waxwings use:
Red fruit heads hang on through winter.
Blue fruit on red stems in early fall.
Fast-growing northern cherry with midsummer fruit.
Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.
White fruit and red winter stems; good thicket cover.
Berry-like cones feed bluebirds, solitaires and waxwings in winter.
Early yellow flowers for hummingbirds, then summer fruit.
Saskatoon berries ripen in early summer.
Feeding bohemian waxwings through the Colorado year
- Top foods: Raisins, Chopped apple.
- In Colorado's winter: Cold snaps alternate with sunny, dry thaws; heated baths are valuable because natural water freezes nightly.
Full diet breakdown for bohemian waxwings · Best feeder for bohemian waxwings
Frequently asked
Are bohemian waxwings in Colorado year-round?
No. Bohemian Waxwings are winter visitors in Colorado and do not typically nest there.
What native plants attract bohemian waxwings in Colorado?
Smooth sumac, Virginia creeper, Pin cherry, Chokecherry, Red-osier dogwood, Rocky Mountain juniper, Golden currant, Western serviceberry are native plants in Colorado that provide food or cover for bohemian waxwings.
Bohemian Waxwings in other regions
Other backyard birds in Colorado
Sources
- Bohemian Waxwing — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Bohemian Waxwing life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Bohemian Waxwing — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Colorado
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- Audubon Native Plants Database
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.