Cedar Waxwing
Image: <a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Rhododendrites" title="User:Rhododendrites">Rhododendrites</a> (CC BY-SA 4.0)
NameCedar Waxwing
Common NameCedar Waxwing
Scientific NameBombycilla cedrorum
FamilyBombycillidae
Wingspan (cm)31
Length (cm)16.5
Weight (g)32
Plumage DetailsFeatures a soft, silky brown plumage on the head and back, fading to a pale yellow on the belly. It has a distinctive black mask across the eyes, a prominent crest, and a bright yellow band at the tip of its tail feathers. Red, waxy tips on the secondary wing feathers are often present but not always visible.
Vocalization / CallHigh-pitched, reedy, trilled 'szeee' or 'szeet' calls, often given in flight or while foraging in flocks.
Primary Dietfrugivore
Primary Habitatsopen woodlands, orchards, gardens, cemeteries, suburban areas, forest edges
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeBreeds across southern Canada and the northern United States, migrating south to the southern United States, Mexico, and Central America for the winter months.
Identifying Featuresprominent crest, black mask, yellow-tipped tail, silky brown plumage, red waxy wing tips (often present)
Description
The Cedar Waxwing is a sleek, medium-sized bird with a prominent crest and soft, silky plumage. They are highly social, often seen in flocks, and are primarily known for their fruit-eating habits, especially berries.
