Photo sharing and discussion

Re: Cedar Waxwing

avwh — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 18:59:44 GMT

One of my favorites, those markings look "painted on" to me.

It's also the only bird I have seen in my yard travel always in flocks.

Re: Cedar Waxwing

luv2bird — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 19:12:00 GMT

Every afternoon between 2 to 3 pm, I see one or two flocks perching in a tree behind my house. I love their little zee, zee calls to each other. Our neighborhood has many fruit and berry sources. Their primary diet consists of fruit so that's probably why they like it near my home. My guess is that they also eat insects and would be attracted to the types of trees that lure insects. Here's some fun facts I found while researching your question:

Family:	Bombycillidae
Scientific Name:	Bombycilla ceororum
Location:	Cedar Waxwings can be found throughout North America with ranges in the summer as far north as central to northern Canada and Alaska. However, the vast majority are found in the northeastern United States, as well as the Great Lakes region, and southern Ontario. Smaller concentrations can be found in the coastal areas of Washington, Oregon, and California. They frequent coniferous and birch forests in the north; as well as open woodlands, overgrown fields, farms, orchards, plantations, and suburban gardens.
Migration:	The Cedar Waxwing is often thought to do more wandering in search of food than migrating. During winter their range can extend as far south as Costa Rica and as far north as southern Canada depending on the amount of fruit available for foraging. Wintering birds will normally congregate in central Texas in stands of oak and juniper, as well as Alabama and eastern Mississippi.
Nesting:	Cedar Waxwings will begin nesting in June-September (when fruit crops becomes more abundant) and have been known to nest from southeast Alaska to northern Georgia. Nests are made from twigs, grasses, weeds, pine needles, moss, and the like. Females will lay 3-5 eggs and incubate them for 12-16 days. Eggs are a pale gray or blue-gray with black or dark brown spots. Fledglings will leave the nest within 14-18 days. These birds generally have only one brood per year.
Diet:	A Cedar Waxwing's diet consists of approximately 70% fruit with the remainder made up of insects, sap, and flower petals of apple and pecan trees. Renown for their revelry, these waxwings have been known to overindulge to the extreme, at times being so stuffed they could barely move, or so intoxicated by overripe berries they are easily caught by human hands.
Size and Color:	The Cedar Waxwing typically grows from 6-1/2" to 8" long, with a wingspread of 11 to 12-1/2". Unlike most birds, the male and female are virtually identical in looks. Each are brown crested with brown turning to gray closer to the tail. They have a black mask outlined in white and a yellow underbelly. Wingtips have a red wax-like substance on secondary wing feathers and a yellow tip on tail. The only difference between male and female is that the male has a black throat while the female's is a dark brown.
Song:	A high thin lisp or trill zeee.
Special Characteristics:	Cedar Waxwings typically flock in numbers of anywhere from 30 to 100 and in rare cases up to 1,000 have been found grouped together. Their politeness when feeding is legendary. Cooperation is the operative word, as they eat in shifts, one group feeds first then moves out of the way as the next group comes in. This is the exact opposite of most birds who may flock together to find food, but will compete vigorously once the food is found. Cedar Waxwings are often found nesting later in the season than most birds. This is generally attributed to their dependence on a fruit diet and coincides with availability in areas they nest.
Attracting:	If you've ever seen these incredible birds up close you already know you'll want them in your yard. As with most birds, appropriate habitat is the key. Choke cherry, mulberry, red cedar, or any fruit-bearing tree or shrub is an excellent choice to bring in flocks of Cedar Waxwings. These friendly and social birds are also a thirsty bunch. Providing them with a water source, whether through a birdbath or garden pond, will be a definite bonus in your quest to tempt them to your yard.
Life Span:	The oldest recorded Cedar Waxwing was 8 years, 2 months.

Source: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?c=9089&articleid=738

Re: Cedar Waxwing

thekiwi — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:49:40 GMT

johnthemon I am not sure how you could attract them either but I do know they like those little trees with the red berries maybe if you planted some of them they will come. Sorry I don't know what those tree/shrubs are called but your local garden center should know

Re: Cedar Waxwing

cairnstone — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:42:47 GMT

I don't know how you could attract Cedar Waxwings johnthemon. Maybe someone here does.

I usually hear them long before I see them. Their "zeet zeet" call is unmistakable. They are fascinating to watch near a river or stream plucking insects out of mid-air.

They are very common in my region, but more so away from the city.

The Waxwing in the little pic below my name was waiting on passing insects. It would zip out and nail a flying insect then return to it's perch and wait for the next one.

Re: Cedar Waxwing

johnthemon — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:24:46 GMT

I have never seen a Cedar Waxwing even though the range chart says that they are in North Georgia, if not during summer at least during winter. And it's such a distinctive bird, I'm sure I would remember it if I had seen it. Do they visit feeders? I read that they are not shy and like residential areas. Perhaps I should add a fruit feeder if they don't like suet or seed.

Re: Cedar Waxwing

cairnstone — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:25:30 GMT

Yes they are very approachable Kiwi. I had about a dozen or so Waxwings keep me company one day while I was fishing this past autumn. They didn't seem to be the slightest bit bothered by me. I reeled off a bunch of shots of them, but was not set up for taking bird pictures. They are beautiful birds.

And no Goose, I have never seen Waxwings getting looped on berries, but I have seen drunk Robins on a few occasions.

Re: Cedar Waxwing

thekiwi — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 14:46:28 GMT

These sure are cute little birds and they are very approachable

These where taken with my old Canon D30 (3 Mega pix)

Re: Cedar Waxwing

Goose — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:29:44 GMT

Yeah, we got a lot of those this winter down South here. They're so cute when the wind blows their little crests up...

On a side note, has anyone ever seen one of them get drunk from fermented berries?

Re: Cedar Waxwing

valleygirl — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:13:40 GMT

One of my favorite birds, the Cedar Waxwing. This pic made me laugh. Poor birdy, the wind had it all fluffed up!

Cedar Waxwing

cairnstone — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 04:57:28 GMT

Very very windy day Cedar Waxwing. Terra Nova, Ontario, Canada.