Denmark · Winter visitor

Waxwings in Denmark

When the Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus) is present in Denmark, when it nests, and which native Denmark plants supply the food it depends on.

Status in Denmark
Winter visitor
Nesting season
Does not breed here
Size
18 cm, 55 g

When to expect waxwings in Denmark

The Waxwing reaches Denmark for the winter from breeding grounds further north and east. Mild-to-cold winters with periods of frost; many Scandinavian migrants pass through.

Temperate maritime, windy and low-lying, surrounded by sea.

Native Denmark plants for waxwings

Of the native plants we track for Denmark, these 8 provide food the Waxwing uses:

Hawthorn
Crataegus monogyna · Shrub

Haws feed thrushes all winter; spring blossom supports hundreds of insect species.

Rowan
Sorbus aucuparia · Tree

Orange-red berries are a magnet for Blackbirds, thrushes and Waxwings from August.

Holly
Ilex aquifolium · Shrub

Evergreen roosting cover and winter berries on female plants.

Ivy
Hedera helix · Climber

Late-winter berries when little else is left, plus dense nesting cover.

Elder
Sambucus nigra · Shrub

Late-summer berries taken by Blackcaps and thrushes.

Blackthorn
Prunus spinosa · Shrub

Thorny cover that protects nests; early blossom for insects.

Dog rose
Rosa canina · Shrub

Hips persist into winter for thrushes and finches.

Guelder rose
Viburnum opulus · Shrub

Translucent red berries in autumn.

Feeding in the garden

Berries — rowan, cotoneaster and apples.

  • Best foods: Apples.
  • Rarely uses feeders.
  • Irrupts every few winters; check supermarket car parks with rowans.

Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked

Are waxwings in Denmark all year?

No. The Waxwing is a winter visitor to Denmark and breeds further north or east.

Which native plants help waxwings in Denmark?

Hawthorn, Rowan, Holly, Ivy, Elder, Blackthorn, Dog rose, Guelder rose are native to Denmark and provide food or cover the Waxwing uses.

Waxwings in other countries

Other garden birds in Denmark

Sources

  1. Waxwing — RSPB bird guide
  2. Waxwing — BTO BirdFacts
  3. Danish Breeding Bird Atlas — DOF BirdLife

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.