Idaho · Winter visitor

Bohemian Waxwings in Idaho

When bohemian waxwings are present in Idaho, when they nest, which native Idaho plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 3b–7b yard.

Waxwings (Bombycillidae)Bohemian WaxwingBombycilla garrulus
Status in Idaho
Winter visitor
Nesting window
Does not typically nest here
Hardiness zones
USDA 3b–7b

When to expect bohemian waxwings in Idaho

In Idaho, bohemian waxwings are winter visitors rather than breeders. Cold winters with inversions in the valleys; mountain finches and Bohemian Waxwings move into towns.

Semi-arid sagebrush plains along the Snake River and forested mountains to the north and center.

Native Idaho plants that attract bohemian waxwings

Of the regional native plants we track for Idaho, these 8 provide food or cover bohemian waxwings use:

Smooth sumac
Rhus glabra · Shrub

Red fruit heads hang on through winter.

Chokecherry
Prunus virginiana · Shrub

Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.

Red-osier dogwood
Cornus sericea · Shrub

White fruit and red winter stems; good thicket cover.

Highbush cranberry
Viburnum trilobum · Shrub

Red fruit persists until late winter when other food is gone.

Common hackberry
Celtis occidentalis · Tree

Sweet dry fruit on the branch all winter.

Rocky Mountain juniper
Juniperus scopulorum · Tree

Berry-like cones feed bluebirds, solitaires and waxwings in winter.

Golden currant
Ribes aureum · Shrub

Early yellow flowers for hummingbirds, then summer fruit.

Western serviceberry
Amelanchier alnifolia · Shrub

Saskatoon berries ripen in early summer.

Feeding bohemian waxwings through the Idaho year

  • Top foods: Raisins, Chopped apple.
  • In Idaho's winter: Cold winters with inversions in the valleys; mountain finches and Bohemian Waxwings move into towns.

Full diet breakdown for bohemian waxwings · Best feeder for bohemian waxwings

Frequently asked

Are bohemian waxwings in Idaho year-round?

No. Bohemian Waxwings are winter visitors in Idaho and do not typically nest there.

What native plants attract bohemian waxwings in Idaho?

Smooth sumac, Chokecherry, Red-osier dogwood, Highbush cranberry, Common hackberry, Rocky Mountain juniper, Golden currant, Western serviceberry are native plants in Idaho that provide food or cover for bohemian waxwings.

Bohemian Waxwings in other regions

Other backyard birds in Idaho

Black-capped ChickadeeDowny WoodpeckerHairy WoodpeckerAmerican GoldfinchWhite-breasted NuthatchHouse WrenHouse FinchMourning DoveAmerican RobinDark-eyed JuncoSong SparrowChipping SparrowNorthern FlickerPileated WoodpeckerRed-breasted NuthatchBrown CreeperRed-winged BlackbirdEvening GrosbeakPine SiskinCommon RedpollGray CatbirdCedar WaxwingTree SwallowBarn SwallowYellow-rumped WarblerEastern KingbirdAmerican Tree SparrowHouse SparrowEuropean StarlingSteller's JayWoodhouse's Scrub-JayBlack-billed MagpieCanada JayMountain ChickadeeChestnut-backed ChickadeeBushtitJuniper TitmousePygmy NuthatchBlack-chinned HummingbirdRufous HummingbirdBroad-tailed HummingbirdLesser GoldfinchCassin's FinchSpotted TowheeCalifornia QuailWestern BluebirdMountain BluebirdSay's PhoebeWhite-crowned SparrowFox SparrowVaried ThrushViolet-green SwallowBlack-headed GrosbeakLazuli BuntingBullock's OrioleEurasian Collared-DoveAmerican CrowCommon RavenCooper's HawkSharp-shinned HawkRed-tailed HawkGreat Horned OwlAmerican KestrelWild TurkeyMallardGreat Blue HeronBelted KingfisherBrown-headed CowbirdRuby-crowned KingletGolden-crowned KingletHermit ThrushPine GrosbeakRed CrossbillGray CatbirdWestern TanagerBlack-throated SparrowLark SparrowGreen-tailed TowheePinyon JayClark's NutcrackerWestern Screech-OwlHooded MerganserBand-tailed PigeonYellow WarblerCommon YellowthroatAmerican RedstartYellow-breasted ChatOrange-crowned WarblerRed-eyed VireoWarbling VireoLeast FlycatcherWestern KingbirdAsh-throated FlycatcherCliff SwallowNorthern Rough-winged SwallowBank SwallowCommon NighthawkCanada GooseAmerican CootKilldeerSpotted SandpiperBlack-crowned Night HeronTurkey VultureOspreyBald EagleMerlinPeregrine FalconNorthern Saw-whet OwlBurrowing OwlLewis's WoodpeckerBlack-backed WoodpeckerAmerican Three-toed WoodpeckerWhite-headed WoodpeckerSavannah SparrowVesper SparrowSnow BuntingLapland LongspurHorned LarkCommon RedpollWhite-winged CrossbillGray-crowned Rosy-FinchBobolinkYellow-headed BlackbirdBrewer's BlackbirdRock Pigeon

Sources

  1. Bohemian Waxwing — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  2. Bohemian Waxwing life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  3. Bohemian Waxwing — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
  4. eBird region overview and bar charts — Idaho
  5. USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
  6. 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.