Manitoba · Summer breeder

Bohemian Waxwings in Manitoba

When bohemian waxwings are present in Manitoba, when they nest, which native Manitoba plants feed them, and how to host them in a Canada 1a–3b yard.

Waxwings (Bombycillidae)Bohemian WaxwingBombycilla garrulus

Status in Manitoba: Summer breeder
Nesting window: July
Broods: 1 per season
Hardiness zones: Canada 1a–3b

When to expect bohemian waxwings in Manitoba

Bohemian Waxwings are summer residents in Manitoba, arriving shortly before nesting begins in July and leaving after the young are independent.

Continental, from prairie in the southwest to boreal forest and Hudson Bay tundra in the north.

Nesting in Manitoba

Across Manitoba, bohemian waxwings typically nest from July. Plan around that window: June for setup, July for clean-out.

Warm summers with a short, intense nesting season.

Bohemian Waxwings don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as smooth sumac, american elderberry, virginia creeper for nest sites.
Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.

Native Manitoba plants that attract bohemian waxwings

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

Smooth sumac

Rhus glabra · Shrub

Red fruit heads hang on through winter.

American elderberry

Sambucus canadensis · Shrub

Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.

Virginia creeper

Parthenocissus quinquefolia · Vine

Blue fruit on red stems in early fall.

Pin cherry

Prunus pensylvanica · Tree

Fast-growing northern cherry with midsummer fruit.

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.

Feeding bohemian waxwings through the Manitoba year

Top foods: Raisins, Chopped apple.
In Manitoba's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.

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

Frequently asked

Are bohemian waxwings in Manitoba year-round?

No. Bohemian Waxwings are summer breeders in Manitoba and leave for the winter.

When do bohemian waxwings nest in Manitoba?

Nesting in Manitoba typically runs July, with 1 per season. Clutches are 3–7 eggs, incubated for 13–14 days.

What native plants attract bohemian waxwings in Manitoba?

Smooth sumac, American elderberry, Virginia creeper, Pin cherry, Chokecherry, Red-osier dogwood, Highbush cranberry, Common hackberry are native plants in Manitoba that provide food or cover for bohemian waxwings.

Other backyard birds in Manitoba

Eastern Bluebird Black-capped Chickadee Purple Martin Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker American Goldfinch White-breasted Nuthatch House Wren Purple Finch Ruby-throated Hummingbird Mourning Dove American Robin Dark-eyed Junco White-throated Sparrow Song Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Northern Flicker Pileated Woodpecker Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Red-breasted Nuthatch Common Grackle Red-winged Blackbird Baltimore Oriole Rose-breasted Grosbeak Evening Grosbeak Pine Siskin Common Redpoll Gray Catbird Brown Thrasher Cedar Waxwing Tree Swallow Barn Swallow Eastern Phoebe Chimney Swift Yellow-rumped Warbler Great Crested Flycatcher Eastern Kingbird American Tree Sparrow House Sparrow European Starling Black-billed Magpie Canada Jay Mountain Bluebird White-crowned Sparrow Fox Sparrow Eurasian Collared-Dove American Crow Common Raven Cooper's Hawk Sharp-shinned Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Barred Owl Great Horned Owl American Kestrel Wood Duck Mallard Great Blue Heron Belted Kingfisher Scarlet Tanager Brown-headed Cowbird Ruby-crowned Kinglet Golden-crowned Kinglet Hermit Thrush Winter Wren Pine Grosbeak Red Crossbill Gray Catbird Western Tanager Hooded Merganser Yellow Warbler Common Yellowthroat American Redstart Black-and-white Warbler Ovenbird Orange-crowned Warbler Palm Warbler Red-eyed Vireo Warbling Vireo Eastern Wood-Pewee Least Flycatcher Western Kingbird Cliff Swallow Northern Rough-winged Swallow Bank Swallow Common Nighthawk Eastern Whip-poor-will Canada Goose American Coot Killdeer Spotted Sandpiper American Woodcock Black-crowned Night Heron Turkey Vulture Osprey Bald Eagle Merlin Peregrine Falcon Northern Saw-whet Owl Burrowing Owl Black-backed Woodpecker American Three-toed Woodpecker Savannah Sparrow Swamp Sparrow Harris's Sparrow Vesper Sparrow Snow Bunting Lapland Longspur Horned Lark Common Redpoll Hoary Redpoll White-winged Crossbill Bobolink Yellow-headed Blackbird Brewer's Blackbird Rusty Blackbird Rock Pigeon

Sources

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.