Bohemian Waxwings, Kanata, Ontario
A few weeks ago I mentioned to someone that I hoped that I would get an opportunity to photograph some Bohemian Waxwings this winter. Today, over two hundred of them flew into the tall green ash tree across the street from my house and used it as a staging area to descend upon the poor, unsuspecting Mountain Ash tree in my neighbour’s front yard. As they began to strip it of its bright red berries, I scrambled to gather up my camera equipment hoping that they wouldn’t fly away before I was able to get a few nice shots. I succeeded!
Bohemian Waxwings spend their summers farther north and when winter snow arrives “migrate” into southern Canada. They move from food source to food source in large flocks. Much like the Snow Buntings that I photographed and posted earlier, Bohemian Waxwing flocks can be somewhat skittish and unpredictable as to their whereabouts and how long they might stay in one area. They are a beautifully coloured bird though.
GULP! One of a flock of over two hundred Bohemian Waxwings that descended on my neighbour’s Mountain Ash for a feed of fruit.
Larger than the related Cedar Waxwing, the Bohemian Waxwing’s southern range tends to be farther north than the summer range of the Cedar Waxwing. Come winter temperatures and a bit of snow cover though and the Cedar Waxwings migrate to the southern USA while the Bohemian Waxwings drift into southern Canada and the Northern USA where they forage for food in large flocks.
Another favorite – and excellent photo ! – they appear locally about this time every year. Have not seen any thus far, and never expect to get a photograph as good as this.
I haven’t seen any yet this year. Hopefully, I will as they are one of my favorite winter birds.