Bohemian waxwings start their return from the wintering grounds in February or March, but northern breeders do not reach their breeding areas until April or early May. This monogamous species nests mainly from mid-June to July.

Waxwings are not highly territorial, and, although normally solitary breeders, several pairs may nest close together where there are a number of good nest sites.
Males may sometimes deter rivals from approaching their mates, and females may squabble over nest sites.
Aggression is shown by sleeking down the feathers and crest, showing the black throat, and opening the bill.
The breeding display is almost the opposite of this; the male erects his body and crest feathers, and turns his head away from the female.
The male may repeatedly present a gift of a small item, often food, to his partner, placing it in her open bill.
In about 90% of cases, this display does not lead to copulation.
Older males have more red tips to the wings and are preferred by females.

The nest, built by both sexes, is a cup of thin twigs lined with softer material such as fine grass, moss, fur or lichen.
It is constructed 1.3–15 m (4–50 ft) above the ground in a pine or scrub, commonly close to the trunk.
The eggs are a glossy pale blue spotted with black and grey and the clutch is 3–7 eggs, although five or six is most common.
The average size of the egg is 24 mm × 18 mm (0.94 in × 0.71 in), and it weighs 3.8 g (0.13 oz), of which 5% is shell.
The eggs are incubated for 13–14 days by the female alone.
She is fed regurgitated berries by her mate, and rarely leaves the nest.
The chicks are altricial and naked, and have bright red mouths; they are fed by both parents, although the male brings most of the food, mainly insects, in the first few days.
The young are subsequently fed largely with fruit.
The chicks fledge about 14–16 days after hatching.
They are fed by the adults for about two weeks after fledging.

Breeding densities of this waxwing are typically low compared to other passerines, usually less than ten birds per square kilometre (26 per square mile) even in good habitat, although up to 35·6 birds per square kilometre (92 per square mile) have been found in Russia.
One brood each year is normal.
Maximum recorded ages are 5 years 10 months in North America and more than 13 years 6 months in Europe.
The average life expectancy is unknown.
Significant causes of death include predation, collisions with windows and cars, and poisoning by road salt consumed when drinking.
Bohemian waxwings start their return from the wintering grounds in February or March, but northern breeders do not reach their breeding areas until April or early May. This monogamous species nests mainly from mid-June to July.
Waxwings are not highly territorial, and, although normally solitary breeders, several pairs may nest close together where there are a number of good nest sites. Males may sometimes deter rivals from approaching their mates, and females may squabble over nest sites. Aggression is shown by sleeking down the feathers and crest, showing the black throat, and opening the bill. The breeding display is almost the opposite of this; the male erects his body and crest feathers, and turns his head away from the female. The male may repeatedly present a gift of a small item, often food, to his partner, placing it in her open bill. In about 90% of cases, this display does not lead to copulation. Older males have more red tips to the wings and are preferred by females.
The nest, built by both sexes, is a cup of thin twigs lined with softer material such as fine grass, moss, fur or lichen. It is constructed 1.3–15 m (4–50 ft) above the ground in a pine or scrub, commonly close to the trunk. The eggs are a glossy pale blue spotted with black and grey and the clutch is 3–7 eggs, although five or six is most common. The average size of the egg is 24 mm × 18 mm (0.94 in × 0.71 in), and it weighs 3.8 g (0.13 oz), of which 5% is shell. The eggs are incubated for 13–14 days by the female alone. She is fed regurgitated berries by her mate, and rarely leaves the nest. The chicks are altricial and naked, and have bright red mouths; they are fed by both parents, although the male brings most of the food, mainly insects, in the first few days. The young are subsequently fed largely with fruit. The chicks fledge about 14–16 days after hatching. They are fed by the adults for about two weeks after fledging.
Breeding densities of this waxwing are typically low compared to other passerines, usually less than ten birds per square kilometre (26 per square mile) even in good habitat, although up to 35·6 birds per square kilometre (92 per square mile) have been found in Russia. One brood each year is normal. Maximum recorded ages are 5 years 10 months in North America and more than 13 years 6 months in Europe. The average life expectancy is unknown. Significant causes of death include predation, collisions with windows and cars, and poisoning by road salt consumed when drinking.
Bohemian waxwing