29 replies to this topic

[goofy166]

Cedar Waxwing

[thornius]

The illustration of the Cedar Waxwing shows a much darker brown than is seen in Waxwings in my area.  Her is a picture of some I took in my yard this Spring.

 

[Kerilou]

What a gorgeous picture! I was lucky enough to spot one of these in a Locust tree in my backyard last week.  They are certainly gorgeous!

Kerilou

[avwh]

Last year almost exactly this time, a flock of cedar waxwings visited the tree behind my yard for the berries. I hope they return this year.

 

 

[Possumbird55]

WOW, Allen...those are simply amazing pictures.  I feel like I could reach out and touch them.  I just love Cedar Waxwings and am always excited when I see them in my backyard

[avwh]

Thanks, valleygirl. Here's more what it looked like in real terms, before I zoomed more with my feet, and put on the longer lens:

[raptrlvr]

I took this picture this last weekend in my front yard. I was watching the Western bluebirds flying from tree to tree when I saw this bird. I had my 300mm on the camera and it was still pretty tough to get a decent picture because of all the limbs and branches being in the way. The bird finally popped out for just a second.

 

[smo4142]

Wow.. what amazing photos. The details of the colors are truly awesome. Cedar Waxwings are gorgeous birds.

[Curlybird]

These birds are becoming my nemesis!!!  I have heard them (at least I'm 99% certain it was them) on about 4 or 5 different outings but have neither seen or gotten a photograph of any - not even a blurry photo!!  I don't know if the problem is them hiding in the trees or my poor eyesight. 

I'm beginning to think they are deliberately playing possum when they see me!!!  Even making the "psssst" sound doesn't work!! 

It's now a matter of principle!  I'm on a quest and I won't give up until I get some pictures!

 

[thekiwi]

It has been almost 2 years since I have seen any wax wings the last time was on valintines day 2008 here a couple images I manged to snap back then

[Curlybird]

Beautiful shots, Kiwi - at least you have photos of them!  I was out again this morning for 3 hours walking around, and I really thought I heard them but couldn't find any, either through my binocs, photos, or naked eye.  Is it possible to hear them and not actually see any?  It seems to me if I am really hearing CW's, then I would at least lay eyes on 1 or 2 - ???

[WrensFriend]

Curly - I don't have them here in the winter, but when they were here earlier this year, I would almost always hear them before I seen them..  The first time I seen one, it landed in a shrub near my deck, and I took a picture -  but had no clue what it was, even though it was quite close, until I viewed the pic. - they are a tiny bird and at any distance, it would not be hard to miss them..  Watch the tree tops, and shrubs/ trees that have berries in them.. I usually sight them first by the crest..  

[indigo]

I have these at my feeder every once in awhile, but I didn't know what they were (being new to birdwatching). It's so exciting to identify new birds.

[GWD]

These come through the DC area in the early spring.  I used to see them on a cherry tree.  They seemed to eat the flower petals. 

[joycemarie]

Just heavenly . . . thank you for uploading these photos!

 This morning, I discovered my first cedar waxwing visitor (at least, the first to my knowledge) in Plano, Texas (about 20 miles north of Dallas).  I was ready to empty the birdbath when I spotted it on the ground.  It did not appear to move.  I visited it several more times and noted it had turned slightly--but still in the same spot.

 After determining its breed, I took a plate of raisins and a small bowl of water to set a few feet away.  It did not move but did observe my movements.  Two Yaupon trees loaded with berries are within 15 feet either side of the waxwing, so I suppose it came by for a feast, then fell ill or else injured and is resting on the leaves for a spell.

Maybe it is playing possum. I have a Cooper's Hawk in the vicinity and pray the waxwing won't be its next prey.

Anyone else in Texas to have this infrequent visitor?

[joycemarie]

AN UPDATE on March 7:

At least thirty or more startled by my sudden appearance (no doubt) on a sunny afternoon flew out of my two Yaupon trees.  (At first I thought they were sparrows waiting for a refill of seed.)

I hope the flock returns to finish stripping the berries today (leaving some for the mockingbirds, of course).  We have many blueberry farms south of here, so they may also be migrating farther south for tastier morsels.

[texaspaso]

I'm in N. Texas, just south of Fort Worth and have been here for 15 years.  Last week I saw a few birds in my yard that I have not seen before and identified them from one of my books as a Cedar Waxwing. This afternoon all of my holly bushes are covered with them (seems like hundreds but probably 40 or 50).  Can any one tell me if I can expect them to stay around or will they move on?

[Judi]

Yes, they will be heading north soon.  Some years I feel lucky to see one ot two of these beauties, but this winter I've seen them almost daily for months now and have had a few good photo ops.  The evening news even referred to them as pests this year because there so many flocks around and they eat so many berries, and leave so many messes!  But I love seeing them and will just use the power wash setting on my hose to clean off the sidewalk and patio!  They are one of my favorites!!!  For those of you who have yet to see a cedar waxwing, I bet you'd like to visit my neighborhood, wouldn't you ?!!!!

[michellehoule]

Forgive me, I am brand new to this and did not see a place to start a new thread...I saw my very first Cedar Waxwing today here in South Central Wisconsin. I was wondering if they go to the feeders? How can I keep it coming back?

[WrensFriend]

I have never seen them at my feeders - but rather in the dead tree tops or in my trees with berries..  Last year, a pair nested in an ornamental shrub in the yard so I got to see them there quite a bit - Today I was standing out by my chokecherry tree, and one of them landed just a few feet away from me, trying to get the berries off the tree..  They come to my bird baths quite a bit - but never to the feeders..