Cedar Waxwing

About

The Cedar Waxwing is a sleek, medium-sized passerine bird characterized by its silky, fawn-brown plumage, a prominent crest, and a black mask. It is primarily frugivorous, known for its nomadic movements in search of fruit, and often seen in large, cohesive flocks. Its name derives from its fondness for cedar berries and the waxy red tips on its secondary flight feathers.

Size & lifespan

Length

14-17 cm (5.5-6.7 in)

Wingspan

28-32 cm (11-12.6 in)

Weight

30-34 g (1.1-1.2 oz)

Lifespan

5-8 years (up to 10 years recorded)

Diet

Frugivore (primarily), Insectivore (especially during breeding season)

Physical characteristics

Plumage

Overall silky, fawn-brown plumage, fading to pale yellow on the belly. The back is grayish-brown, and the rump is gray. The undertail coverts are white. The tail is medium-length, gray, and tipped with a distinctive bright yellow band. Secondary flight feathers often have small, waxy red tips, which are more prominent in older individuals.

Beak shape

Short, stout, and slightly hooked bill, black in color.

Eye color

Dark brown, almost black.

Leg color

Dark gray to black.

Distinguishing features

Prominent, sleek crest that can be raised or lowered; black mask extending from the bill through the eye; bright yellow tail tip; waxy red tips on secondary flight feathers (not always visible or present on all individuals, especially younger ones).

Juvenile appearance

Juveniles are streaky brown on the back and heavily streaked on the underparts, particularly on the breast and flanks. They have a less defined crest and mask, and their yellow tail tip is duller or absent. Waxy red wing tips are typically absent.

Seasonal changes

No significant seasonal plumage changes. Plumage remains consistent year-round, though wear and fading can occur.

Sexual dimorphism

Males and females are virtually identical in plumage. Males may average slightly larger and have more prominent waxy red tips on their wings, but this is not a reliable field mark for sexing.

How to identify

1. 1

   Crest and Mask

   Look for the distinctive, sleek crest on the head and the black mask across the eyes. These are key features for all waxwings.

2. 2

   Plumage Color

   Note the silky, fawn-brown body plumage, fading to pale yellow on the belly. The back is grayish-brown.

3. 3

   Tail Tip

   Observe the bright yellow band at the tip of the tail. This is a consistent and reliable field mark for adults.

4. 4

   Waxy Wing Tips

   Check for small, waxy red tips on the secondary flight feathers. While not always present or easy to see, especially on younger birds, they are diagnostic when visible.

5. 5

   Vocalizations

   Listen for their high-pitched, reedy 'szeee' or 'seee-seee' calls, often given in flight or by a flock.

6. 6

   Behavior

   Look for flocks feeding on berries, often passing fruit from bill to bill. They are often seen perched in fruit trees or hawking insects from a perch.

Habitat & range

Biomes

Temperate forests, woodlands, open woodlands, orchards, suburban parks, gardens, riparian areas.

Geographic range

Breeds across southern Canada and the northern United States. Winters throughout much of the United States, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. Some populations are resident in parts of the Pacific Northwest and the Great Lakes region.

Elevation range

Sea level up to 2,000 meters (6,500 feet), occasionally higher in migration.

Preferred environments

Areas with abundant fruit-bearing trees and shrubs, especially those with small, soft berries. Also requires access to water for drinking and bathing.

Behavior

Activity time

Diurnal.

Feeding habits

Highly frugivorous, consuming a wide variety of berries and small fruits (e.g., cedar, juniper, dogwood, hawthorn, serviceberry, cherry). During the breeding season and when fruit is scarce, they supplement their diet with insects, often caught in aerial sallies. They can become intoxicated from fermented berries.

Social behavior

Highly social, especially outside the breeding season, forming large flocks that can number in the hundreds. They often feed communally, passing berries along a line of birds. During breeding, they are found in pairs or small groups.

Flight pattern

Strong, direct, and undulating flight. Often fly in tight, cohesive flocks, especially outside the breeding season. They are agile fliers when hawking insects.

Migration pattern

Irregular and nomadic migrant, driven primarily by the availability of fruit. Northern populations are generally migratory, moving south for winter. Southern populations may be resident or undertake shorter, localized movements. Their migration is often described as irruptive, with large numbers appearing in areas where fruit is abundant.

Territoriality

Not strongly territorial, especially outside the breeding season. Breeding pairs defend a small area around the nest, but feeding flocks are generally tolerant of each other.

Breeding & reproduction

Breeding season

Late spring to late summer (May to August), later than most North American passerines, coinciding with the availability of summer fruits and insects.

Nesting habits

Nests are typically built in horizontal forks of trees or shrubs, 2-20 meters (6-65 feet) above the ground. The nest is a bulky, cup-shaped structure made of twigs, grasses, bark strips, moss, and often lined with fine grasses, hair, and sometimes spider silk. Both sexes participate in nest building.

Clutch size

3-6 eggs, typically 4-5.

Egg description

3-6 eggs, pale gray or bluish-gray, speckled with dark brown or black spots, especially at the larger end. Eggs measure approximately 21 x 15 mm.

Incubation period

11-13 days, primarily by the female, though the male may occasionally assist.

Fledging period

14-18 days after hatching. Young are fed by both parents.

Parental care

Both parents feed the nestlings and fledglings. Young are dependent on parents for several weeks after fledging.

Where to find

Field tips

1. Look for Fruit Sources. Cedar Waxwings are highly nomadic and will appear wherever there is an abundance of ripe berries. Focus your search on trees and shrubs laden with fruit.
2. Listen for Calls. Their high-pitched, reedy calls are often the first indication of their presence, especially when a flock is moving or feeding.
3. Observe Flocking Behavior. Outside the breeding season, they are almost always found in flocks. Look for groups of birds moving together, often perching in a line.
4. Check Water Sources. Waxwings are fond of bathing and drinking, so checking near ponds, bird baths, or streams can be productive.
5. Be Patient. Their movements are unpredictable. If you know they are in an area, patience will often be rewarded as they move through.

Similar species

Quick facts

Diet:

Primarily fruit, especially berries

Sociality:

Highly social, forms large flocks

Migration:

Nomadic, irruptive, driven by fruit availability

Distinctive Feature:

Yellow tail tip, black mask, crest

Vocalization:

High-pitched, reedy 'szeee' call

Fun facts

• Cedar Waxwings are one of the few bird species that can survive almost entirely on fruit for extended periods.
• They are known to become intoxicated from eating fermented berries, sometimes appearing disoriented or unable to fly straight.
• The waxy red tips on their secondary feathers are thought to be a sign of age or health, becoming more prominent with maturity.
• They have a unique feeding behavior where they pass berries down a line of birds, often from bill to bill, until one bird swallows it.
• Their breeding season is unusually late, timed to coincide with the ripening of summer fruits and the peak abundance of insects.

Scientific classification

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Aves

Order

Passeriformes

Family

Bombycillidae

Genus

Bombycilla

Species

Bombycilla cedrorum

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