Bird ID

[Johnnie Hyde]

For some reason I can’t see cedar waxwings in Merlin. Can someone tell me if these are cedar or Bohemian waxwings? (Photos by Terry Schocke)

(Ms.) Johnnie Hyde
ElyBrav...@gmail.com
Ely Alliance with Braver Angels (FB)

Don’t believe everything you think.

[Bill Tefft]

They  are Bohemian.  The undertail coverts are burgundy.

Bill Tefft
efn...@gmail.com
218-235-8078

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[Pat Miller]

Thanh’s great photos Pat and Ralph

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From: elyfieldn...@googlegroups.com <elyfieldn...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Bill Tefft <efn...@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, March 26, 2026 11:31:32 AM
To: Johnnie Hyde <Joh...@ravenwords.com>
Cc: Elyfieldnaturalists <elyfieldn...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: {Ely Field Naturalists} Bird ID

 

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[Steve J Engel]

Bill wrote: "The undertail coverts are burgundy."  

I call it the crimson crissum!  For bonus points, what other migratory bird in our area sports the same field mark?

steve engel

Steve Engel

35 Hemlock Circle

Babbitt, MN  55706
https://mywildtracks.com/
218-343-7679

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[Mary M White / Charles R Neil]

Don't know if it counts as "crimson", but most birders call the catbird's undertail coverts "cinnamon".

I haven't seen a Bohemian waxwing this winter, but hope to see a catbird within a month or so.

C Neil, Embarrass

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Steve J Engel <track...@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, Mar 26, 2026 at 1:32 PM
Subject: Re: {Ely Field Naturalists} Bird ID

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[Steve J Engel]

Chuck,

That's the species I had in mind. Cinnamon has never come to mind for me when getting a peek at a catbird's nether regions. Color perception can be subjective and alliteration is fun. :)

Steve

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[Juile Grahn]

Hi Johnnie,

Do you see that rusty color under the tail in the second photo?  That is only on the Bohemian waxwing.  Lucky you to see them.  I only found 1 in late fall over here in Cook.  It did not stick around that I saw.  Any that are around now will likely be heading back to their far northern breeding range soon

Julie Grahn. 

On Mar 26, 2026, at 11:28 AM, Johnnie Hyde <Joh...@ravenwords.com> wrote:

For some reason I can’t see cedar waxwings in Merlin. Can someone tell me if these are cedar or Bohemian waxwings? (Photos by Terry Schocke)

<Bohemian Waxwings w berries? Terri Scholke-001.jpeg><Cedar Waxwings_2714_edited-1.jpeg>

(Ms.) Johnnie Hyde
ElyBrav...@gmail.com
Ely Alliance with Braver Angels (FB)

Don’t believe everything you think.

[Mary M White / Charles R Neil]

I've enjoyed the diversion about the color of the undertail coverts of Bohemian waxwings. Since becoming a birder 55 years ago, I've always said, "cinnamon", when describing it, probably because a mentor birder did. So, I figured "cinnamon" was the most common word used by birders. Steve Engle cleverly used the fun alliteration, "crimson crissum" which also reminded me that saying or typing "crissum" would be more efficient than, "undertail coverts".  This morning I checked 7 sources, mostly field guides as well as AI, to see if "cinnamon" was as commonly used as I'd thought. It isn't. Only two of the books used "cinnamon" as a descriptor. The four other color descriptors are: "rusty; chestnut; rufus; and rich-rufus (Merlin)". Trying to be all things to all people, Google AI said, "rusty, chestnut, or cinnamon-brown."

Then I checked the spice cabinet. The cinnamon in its clear bottle looked browner than the crissums of Bohemian waxwings I've seen. So, I checked the rest of the spice bottles and found what I believe to be the closest in color. I know it's a mouthful, but from now on when I'm lucky enough to see the crissum of a Bohemian waxwing, I'll call it, "smoked Spanish paprika."

Chuck Neil, Embarrass

[Jane Johnston]

I love this tale of your research ending in your spice cupboard.

Jane Johnston, Mpls/Ely

<Bohemian Waxwings w berries? Terri Scholke-001.jpeg><Cedar Waxwings_2714_edited-1.jpeg>

(Ms.) Johnnie Hyde
ElyBrav...@gmail.com
Ely Alliance with Braver Angels (FB)

Don’t believe everything you think.

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[Bill Tefft]

In any case or name for the color of the crissum or undertail coverts, the feathers that cover the shafts of the tail feathers are not a very visibly different white color like the cedar waxwings.

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Bill Tefft
efn...@gmail.com
218-235-8078