Wyoming · Winter visitor

Bohemian Waxwings in Wyoming

When bohemian waxwings are present in Wyoming, when they nest, which native Wyoming plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 3a–5b yard.

Waxwings (Bombycillidae)Bohemian WaxwingBombycilla garrulus
Status in Wyoming
Winter visitor
Nesting window
Does not typically nest here
Hardiness zones
USDA 3a–5b

When to expect bohemian waxwings in Wyoming

In Wyoming, bohemian waxwings are winter visitors rather than breeders. Cold, very windy winters.

Semi-arid high plains and basins with major mountain ranges; most towns lie above 5,000 ft.

Native Wyoming plants that attract bohemian waxwings

Of the regional native plants we track for Wyoming, 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.

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.

Buffaloberry
Shepherdia argentea · Shrub

Tart red fruit that persists into winter.

Feeding bohemian waxwings through the Wyoming year

  • Top foods: Raisins, Chopped apple.
  • In Wyoming's winter: Cold, very windy winters.

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

Frequently asked

Are bohemian waxwings in Wyoming year-round?

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

What native plants attract bohemian waxwings in Wyoming?

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

Bohemian Waxwings in other regions

Other backyard birds in Wyoming

Black-capped ChickadeeDowny WoodpeckerHairy WoodpeckerAmerican GoldfinchWhite-breasted NuthatchHouse WrenBlue JayHouse FinchMourning DoveAmerican RobinDark-eyed JuncoSong SparrowChipping SparrowNorthern FlickerRed-headed WoodpeckerRed-breasted NuthatchBrown CreeperCommon GrackleRed-winged BlackbirdEvening GrosbeakPine SiskinCommon RedpollGray CatbirdBrown ThrasherCedar WaxwingTree SwallowBarn SwallowYellow-rumped WarblerEastern Screech-OwlEastern KingbirdAmerican Tree SparrowHouse SparrowEuropean StarlingSteller's JayWoodhouse's Scrub-JayBlack-billed MagpieCanada JayMountain ChickadeeBushtitJuniper TitmousePygmy NuthatchBlack-chinned HummingbirdBroad-tailed HummingbirdLesser GoldfinchCassin's FinchSpotted TowheeMountain BluebirdSay's PhoebeWhite-crowned SparrowFox SparrowViolet-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 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 — Wyoming
  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.