New Hampshire · Winter visitor

Bohemian Waxwings in New Hampshire

When bohemian waxwings are present in New Hampshire, when they nest, which native New Hampshire plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 3b–6a yard.

Waxwings (Bombycillidae)Bohemian WaxwingBombycilla garrulus
Status in New Hampshire
Winter visitor
Nesting window
Does not typically nest here
Hardiness zones
USDA 3b–6a

When to expect bohemian waxwings in New Hampshire

In New Hampshire, bohemian waxwings are winter visitors rather than breeders. Long, snowy winters; boreal species visit feeders in irruption years.

Humid continental, with the White Mountains dividing the southern lowlands from northern forest.

Native New Hampshire plants that attract bohemian waxwings

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

Eastern red cedar
Juniperus virginiana · Tree

Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter.

Serviceberry
Amelanchier arborea · Tree

Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.

Winterberry
Ilex verticillata · Shrub

Deciduous holly holding red fruit into mid-winter.

Staghorn sumac
Rhus typhina · Shrub

Fruit clusters persist all winter as emergency food.

Smooth sumac
Rhus glabra · Shrub

Red fruit heads hang on through winter.

Black cherry
Prunus serotina · Tree

Summer fruit and one of the top caterpillar host trees.

American elderberry
Sambucus canadensis · Shrub

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

Arrowwood viburnum
Viburnum dentatum · Shrub

Blue-black fall fruit and dense nesting cover.

Feeding bohemian waxwings through the New Hampshire year

  • Top foods: Raisins, Chopped apple.
  • In New Hampshire's winter: Long, snowy winters; boreal species visit feeders in irruption years.

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

Frequently asked

Are bohemian waxwings in New Hampshire year-round?

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

What native plants attract bohemian waxwings in New Hampshire?

Eastern red cedar, Serviceberry, Winterberry, Staghorn sumac, Smooth sumac, Black cherry, American elderberry, Arrowwood viburnum are native plants in New Hampshire that provide food or cover for bohemian waxwings.

Bohemian Waxwings in other regions

Other backyard birds in New Hampshire

Northern CardinalEastern BluebirdBlack-capped ChickadeePurple MartinDowny WoodpeckerHairy WoodpeckerAmerican GoldfinchTufted TitmouseWhite-breasted NuthatchHouse WrenHouse FinchPurple FinchRuby-throated HummingbirdMourning DoveAmerican RobinDark-eyed JuncoWhite-throated SparrowSong SparrowChipping SparrowNorthern FlickerPileated WoodpeckerYellow-bellied SapsuckerRed-breasted NuthatchBrown CreeperCommon GrackleRed-winged BlackbirdBaltimore OrioleRose-breasted GrosbeakEvening GrosbeakPine SiskinCommon RedpollIndigo BuntingEastern TowheeGray CatbirdBrown ThrasherCedar WaxwingTree SwallowBarn SwallowEastern PhoebeChimney SwiftYellow-rumped WarblerPine WarblerEastern Screech-OwlWood ThrushGreat Crested FlycatcherEastern KingbirdAmerican Tree SparrowHouse SparrowEuropean StarlingCanada JayAmerican CrowCommon RavenCooper's HawkSharp-shinned HawkRed-tailed HawkBarred OwlGreat Horned OwlAmerican KestrelWood DuckWild TurkeyMallardGreat Blue HeronBelted KingfisherScarlet TanagerEastern MeadowlarkBrown-headed CowbirdGolden-crowned KingletHermit ThrushWinter WrenPine GrosbeakRed CrossbillField SparrowGray CatbirdLark SparrowHooded MerganserYellow WarblerCommon YellowthroatAmerican RedstartBlack-and-white WarblerOvenbirdRed-eyed VireoWarbling VireoEastern Wood-PeweeLeast FlycatcherCliff SwallowNorthern Rough-winged SwallowBank SwallowCommon NighthawkEastern Whip-poor-willCanada GooseAmerican CootKilldeerSpotted SandpiperAmerican WoodcockGreen HeronGreat EgretBlack-crowned Night HeronTurkey VultureOspreyBald EagleRed-shouldered HawkMerlinPeregrine FalconNorthern Saw-whet OwlBlack-backed WoodpeckerSavannah SparrowSwamp SparrowVesper SparrowSnow BuntingHorned LarkCommon RedpollHoary RedpollWhite-winged CrossbillYellow-billed CuckooBobolinkRusty 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 — New Hampshire
  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.