Cedar Waxwing
NameCedar Waxwing
Common NameCedar Waxwing
Scientific NameBombycilla cedrorum
FamilyBombycillidae
Wingspan (cm)30
Length (cm)15.5
Weight (g)32
Plumage DetailsSoft, silky plumage that is mostly brown on the head and back, fading to pale yellow on the belly. It features a prominent crest, a distinctive black mask across the eyes, and a bright yellow tip on its tail. Many adults also display small, waxy red tips on their secondary wing feathers.
Vocalization / CallHigh-pitched, reedy, trilled 'szeee' or 'seee' calls, often given in flight or while foraging in flocks.
Primary Dietomnivore
Primary Habitatsopen woodlands, orchards, suburban gardens, forest edges, riparian areas
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeBreeds across southern Canada and the northern United States; winters throughout much of the United States, Mexico, and Central America, extending into parts of the Caribbean.
Identifying Featuresprominent crest, black mask, yellow tail tip, sleek brown plumage, waxy red wing tips (on some adults)
Description
The Cedar Waxwing is a sleek, medium-sized bird with a distinctive crest and a black mask. These social birds are primarily frugivorous, often seen in flocks foraging for berries in trees and shrubs, especially during the non-breeding season.
