An Influx Of Cedar Waxwings
Yesterday I heard a rustling sound and saw an influx of cedar waxwings. They came down all at once and lit on tree branches and other surfaces on my patio.
They were all eating the red berries on the evergreen tree outside.
Cedar Waxwings inhabit deciduous, coniferous, and mixed woodlands. They are often seen in areas along streams. You may also find them in old fields, grasslands, sagebrush, and even along desert washes.
These birds can survive on fruit alone for several months and will also eat insects.
These birds have been observed eating overripe berries that have fermented in the sun. This causes the birds to become intoxicated. They are one of a few fruit-eating bird species known to have been killed by alcohol poisoning from eating fermented fruit.
Why Are They Called Cedar Waxwings?
They are called ‘waxwings’ because some of them produce waxy, bright red appendages on the tip of their secondary wing feathers.
Cedar Waxwings with orange instead of yellow tail tips began appearing in the northeastern U.S. and southeastern Canada in the 1960s.
The Cedar Waxwing is an extremely social bird. You’ll likely see them in small flocks to huge gatherings year-round. They like to sit in fruit trees swallowing berries whole. They’ll sometimes pluck them in mid-air.
Flocks of Cedar Waxwings will descend on berry-laden trees and hedges. They will flutter among the branches as they feast.
These birds are sociable at all seasons, and it is rare to see just one waxwing. Occasionally a line of waxwings perched on a branch will pass a berry back and forth, from bill to bill, until one of them swallows it.
Why Do Cedar Waxwings Puff Up?
The puffed up appearance is an efficient way for winter birds to manage to survive the bitter cold. Air trapped between its feathers is heated up by a bird’s body.
Puffing up (raising their feathers) traps as much air as possible in their feathers.
Nesting Habits Of Cedar Waxwings:
Cedar Waxwing pairs look for nest sites together. However the female makes the decision. She will typically choose the fork of a horizontal branch anywhere from 3 to 50 feet high.
Both parents feed nestlings. Their young leave the nest about 14-18 days after hatching. There are typically two broods per year.
Where Do They Travel For Winter?
This species has a more southerly range than the Bohemian Waxwing, and is a familiar visitor to most parts of this continent south of the Arctic.
Many eastern Cedar Waxwings winter in the southeastern U.S. Some birds travel as far south as Costa Rica and Panama.
These birds are nomadic and move about irregularly. Both breeding and wintering areas may change from year to year, depending on food supplies.
Some may linger south of breeding range into late spring or early summer.
As I watched these birds on my patio, they would all fly away, and then moments later, all fly back.
The robins that were on the patio before they descended settled into another tree.
At one point one of the Cedar Waxwings flew right into the window. I suppose it wasn’t hurt because it flew away.
I was shocked by the sheer number of birds perched on the branches of the tree outside.
The wingspan of the Cedar Waxwing resembled an accordion.
Today they are gone. It is quiet and the branches are still.
It is no longer raining or snowing, which went on for four straight days. The snow has melted for the most part.
I miss the birds that came to visit me. It was amazing to see how they all swooped in and then flew away again and again.
Oh, aren't they lovely. The colours! I have yet to see them at my feeders. I see mostly, chickadees, blue-jays, cardinal, mourning dove, juncos, sparrows and downy woodpeckers. Deb
Ah yes, cedar waxwings! They come to our neighborhood every year in droves as they migrate through. Neighbors across the street have a huge holly bush the waxwings love. They fly from nearby trees to the holly, then back to the trees. Unfortunately they roosted in a tree beside our house and their dark blue droppings were all over our porch steps and sidewalk. My husband and his mom were even hit as they walked to the car! But, as you mentioned, they don't stick around for long. Your photos of them are wonderful. Happy New Year!
Claudia
I enjoy watching the birds. We are seeing, cedar waxwings, bluejays, cardinals, a whole family of woodpeckers, and various other birds. This time of year, I often see, chickadees, tufted titmouse, but the other day while it was still snowing, I saw a little bluebird. I'm sure there is some superstition about seeing a bluebird in the dead of winter but I don't believe in superstitions so I just felt blessed to see the beautiful little speck of blue on the white snow!
Beautiful photos! A very Happy New Year to you and the pupsters. Much good health in the New Year!!!
So cute…we have a few cardinals here and there. That's it!
Jane x
We have only had waxwings a few times, even though I know they are around here. We have a lot of cardinals right now…there are often 10 or more in the cherry tree outside my window…
I haven't been outside since all the snow so not sure what birds are around.
Those are some great photos and that wing span is awesome…
A lot of robins have been around here for a few days. Usually we have a flock of robins come through here, stay for one day and are gone by the next. This year they are staying here longer than normal. The other day I had robins wading in puddles on one side of the yard and snowbirds in the spruce tree on the other side of the yard, and a mischievous mockingbird in the middle of the yard.
I think that the robins are staying here because their normal wintering areas may be flooded and under water. I am in Missouri, near St. Louis.
They are Waxwings. They come to my yard every year and devour the holly berries on a tree and then they are gone as quickly as they come. Always one hits my large glass window. Sometimes just stunned, other times…It is a sight to behold a HUGE tree covered with hundreds.
I live in Wyoming . They show up every year in June, have a family, and are gone by the end of July.
In the decade that we lived at the "farm," I only saw a few songbirds–too many predators, I guess. But the ranchburger seems to be a habitat for all kinds of wildlife. I set up 3 feeders, and so far I've seen Titmice, robins, cardinals, black-capped chicadees, mourning doves, a bluejay, mockingbird, and a woodpecker. The squirrels have taken over the feeders in the last week, though. They are cute but voracious. 🙂
Beautiful! When I was growing up, my mother had two pictures of cedar eaxwings on the dining room wall. I've never seen one in real life but I always supposed that was because they didn't live in southern Manitoba where I grew up.
A question for you- What type of tree are the birds landing on? I don't recognize the leaves on it. (Hmm, probably because they're probably trees that don't grow this far north.)
I've always been fascinated by the different types of vegetation I've seen when travelling across Canada and through parts if the USA. You have NO idea how excited I became when I saw my first palm tree growing outside 'in the ground', not in a pot found in someone's home!! Nature astounds me.
Beautiful birds! We are getting painted buntings…they are a real treat.
I don't believe I have ever seen a Cedar Waxwing in my yard Brenda…what beautiful birds they are…I am seeing mostly the birds that stay all Winter…Cardinals..Black-Capped Chickadees..Nuthatch..Blue Jays…Tufted Titmouse..Sparrow..and who ever else would like to show up for a visit and a meal…We also have some Red Tailed Hawks that come for a visit at times..
Lovely pictures, thanks! We have little woodpeckers, cardinals, house finches, titmouse, bluejays, doves, and juncos. Mostly we have seed eaters. I feed the blue jays peanuts. They can put three unshelled nuts in their beaks to carry away. Also, we have robins eating Hawthorne fruit.
Beautiful pictures. I love mourning doves. About week ago we had swarms of bird. They would fill the sky. I am still not sure what they were. They had some kind of marking I hadn't seen. They have to so mixed up because of the weather. My spring flowers are coming up. No snow here yet. Wonder if those flowers will get ruined in the winter.
We have had ducks swimming on the pond and a visit from a crane.
Happy New Year.
We had a flock of waxwings arrive just like that years ago. They landed on an old cedar tree (long gone now), ate their fill, and then were gone. They were so pretty!
Beautiful Cedar Waxwings, Brenda! We get them once a year in our cedar trees. There are so many in the the tree and they envelop the branches and consume all of the tiny bluish berries. I love their annual visit.
What beautiful pictures you took of those birds! Cold weather must be coming. Several years in October while driving from Dallas to Oklahoma I saw birds flying south for miles and and miles. Enjoy your visitors.
Beautiful! Cedar waxwings are nomadic in the wintertime and travel in large flocks. I grew up in Hampton, VA and remember when they ate fermented pyracantha berries from our bush; there were drunk birds in the yard all afternoon! I hope 'your' birds are better behaved!
Those are beautiful birds! We have mostly cardinals, and woodpeckers now. We put out black-oiled sunflower seed, safflower seed and suet in feeders. It's rewarding to help Mother Nature…and fun to watch! 😉
Brenda, those birds are just gorgeous! I don't believe I've ever had the pleasure of having them in my yard – I think my homes have all been too wooded – I don't even get the same varieties of birds as my sweetie or my parents as their houses are in open areas. Your photos are incredible! I bet there were in the midst of migration and taking a rest. Do you feed the birds?
Several years ago a large flock of Cedar Waxwings landed in our neighbors cherry tree. The ate most of cherries before moving on. They are beautiful birds.
Several years ago a large flock of Cedar Waxwings landed in our neighbors cherry tree. The ate most of cherries before moving on. They are beautiful birds.
OHGOSH! Cedar Waxwings! I used to see them a lot as a kid. Now days I only see them once a year if I'm lucky. I must live in their migration path. They were in my backyard this year and it felt magical. I'd never had them in my own yard before.
Gorgeous!!!
Blessings,
Cindy
Oh Brenda what gorgeous captures!! Amazing. Glad that they landed in the right tree! 🙂
Oh Brenda what gorgeous captures!! Amazing. Glad that they landed in the right tree! 🙂
We have various ones all the time. Seems like the weather is warm enough in the desert for them to hang out. Love your pics of your visitors. Gorgeous.
Absolutely beautiful pictures. I opened my front door this morning at 7:30 and I couldn't believe the birds singing. It sounded like springtime.I've never seen this particular bird before.
Those are beautiful cedar waxwings, Brenda. They're gorgeous birds, so you capturing them must have felt like a treat, I'm sure. Birds flock together for many reasons. Most of the time the weather causes birds to flock like that. Oftentimes, the birds are foraging, but some birds form mating flocks, mostly game birds, though. I love birds, and my favorite is the raven.
Georgia
I saw a bunch of those birds at work yesterday and could not figure out what breed they were. They are eating all the berries left on our trees. I see a lot of goldfinches. I love the little black hat Juncos. And a few Red Tail Hawks.