Cedar Waxwing
NameCedar Waxwing
Common NameCedar Waxwing
Scientific NameBombycilla cedrorum
FamilyBombycillidae
Wingspan (cm)32
Length (cm)15.5
Weight (g)31
Plumage DetailsPlumage is soft, silky, and predominantly brown on the head and back, fading to a pale yellow on the belly. It features a prominent brown crest, a black mask across the eyes, and a bright yellow tip on the tail. Secondary wing feathers often have small, red, wax-like tips.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations consist of high-pitched, thin, trilled whistles or sibilant calls, often described as 'see-see-see' or 'sreee'. They are generally quiet birds outside of these calls.
Primary Dietfrugivore
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, often moving in response to fruit availability.
Identifying Featuressleek brown crest, black mask across eyes, yellow tail tip, red wax-like tips on secondary feathers, overall smooth brown and yellow plumage
Description
The Cedar Waxwing is a sleek, medium-sized bird with a distinctive crest and a masked face. Known for its nomadic behavior, it often travels in large flocks, especially during winter, to find abundant fruit sources.
