No results found for ""

Tap search to view all possible matches

Cedar Waxwing

Bombycilla cedrorum

With its masked face and yellow-tipped tail, this social fruit-eater feasts in groups of up to 40 in backyard gardens and orchards across North America.
Share this bird:

Visual Identification

Appearance

Cedar Waxwings are sleek, medium-sized songbirds with a distinctive crest and silky plumage. Their bodies are primarily pale brown, transitioning to soft gray on the wings and tail. The tail is tipped with bright yellow, and adults often have small red waxy tips on their wing feathers.

Both sexes look similar, with a black mask outlined in white, a pale yellow belly, and a yellowish undertail. Juveniles are streakier and lack the adult's sleek appearance and bright wing tips.

Size

Length

15cm to 18cm

Wingspan

22cm to 30cm

Weight

30g to 40g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Brown Grey

Secondary Colour

Yellow Red

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Black

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Cedar Waxwing can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Cedar Waxwing can be found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Cedar Waxwing is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Cedar Waxwing is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Cedar Waxwing can be found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Cedar Waxwing is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Cedar Waxwing is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Cedar Waxwing is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Cedar Waxwing is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Cedar Waxwing is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Cedar Waxwing is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Cedar Waxwing is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Cedar Waxwings inhabit a variety of wooded and semi-open habitats across North America, from southern Canada to the northern parts of Central America. They show a preference for areas with fruiting trees and shrubs, including orchards, parklands, and suburban gardens.

During winter, they are more widespread in the United States and can be found in large numbers in the southern states. In summer, their breeding range extends further north into Canada and Alaska.

Elevation Range

Up to 2,200 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subtropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Cedar Waxwing. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

  • Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
  • Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
  • This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

  • More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
  • How birds move around during different seasons
© 2024 - Birdfact
Resident
Breeding
Non-breeding
Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year
Canada Mexico United States of America
Species that are present in the area during their breeding season
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range
Colombia Dominican Republic Ecuador Haiti Iceland Puerto Rico The United Kingdom Venezuela

Get Bird Updates in Your Inbox

Stay informed about Cedar Waxwing and other fascinating birds, with expert bird watching tips, as well as relevant seasonal information.

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

This feature is in beta. We'd love your feedback to improve it!

Share your thoughts

Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:
  • Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
  • Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
  • Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
  • Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
  • Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

  • 0-20: Very Low
  • 21-40: Low
  • 41-60: Average
  • 61-80: High
  • 81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 82

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

Cedar Waxwings display remarkable agility in their aerial manoeuvres, particularly whilst catching insects mid-flight and navigating through dense foliage. Their quick, direct flight pattern with sudden directional changes demonstrates excellent manoeuvrability.

Strength 35

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

As small songbirds weighing between 30-40g, Cedar Waxwings possess modest strength relative to other birds. Whilst capable of carrying berries and managing basic nest construction, they aren't built for powerful activities or carrying heavy loads.

Adaptability 88

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

These birds show impressive adaptability, thriving across various habitats from woodlands to urban areas. Their ability to process sugar efficiently, survive on an all-fruit diet, and adjust their feeding patterns between fruits and insects demonstrates remarkable ecological flexibility.

Aggressiveness 25

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Cedar Waxwings are notably non-aggressive birds, known for cooperative feeding behaviours such as passing berries between individuals. Their social nature and peaceful flock dynamics indicate a particularly gentle disposition amongst songbirds.

Endurance 65

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Whilst not marathon flyers, Cedar Waxwings demonstrate solid endurance through their partial migration patterns and sustained foraging activities. Their ability to maintain energy levels on a fruit-based diet and engage in extended periods of aerial insect catching suggests decent stamina.

Diet

Cedar Waxwings are primarily frugivorous, with a strong preference for berries, especially cedar berries, hence their name. They also consume insects, particularly during the breeding season.

Their ability to subsist on a diet of sugary fruits is unique among North American birds, aided by a specialized liver that processes sugar efficiently.

Behaviour

Cedar Waxwings are highly social, often seen in large flocks, especially when foraging. They are known for their cooperative feeding behavior, passing berries beak-to-beak down a row of birds.

These birds are also skilled flycatchers, sallying out from perches to catch insects in mid-air.

Vocalisation

Cedar Waxwings are not known for melodious songs but rather for their high-pitched, thin, and buzzy calls.

Their most common vocalization is a high 'seee' or 'sree,' often described as sounding like a tiny, squeaky dog toy. In flocks, they produce a chorus of trills and buzzy notes.

Nesting & Breeding

Cedar Waxwings typically form monogamous pairs during the breeding season, which runs from late spring to early summer. Courtship involves a charming ritual where birds pass small objects like flower petals or insects back and forth.

Nests are built in trees, often on a horizontal branch, using grasses, twigs, and plant fibers. Females lay 3-5 pale blue-gray eggs with dark spots. Both parents contribute to nest building and incubation.

Incubation lasts about 12-14 days, with nestlings fledging after another 14-18 days. Parents continue to feed fledglings for several days after they leave the nest.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern [1]

Cedar Waxwings are currently listed as Least Concern due to their large range and stable population. However, they face threats from window collisions in urban areas and pesticide use that affects their insect prey.

Conservation efforts focus on maintaining diverse habitats with native fruit-bearing plants.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

64,000,000 mature individuals [2]

Global Population Trend

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

  • Look for flocks in fruiting trees or shrubs, especially in winter
  • Listen for their high-pitched, trilled calls
  • Watch for their distinctive flight pattern: quick and direct with sudden changes in direction
  • In North America, check parks and suburban areas with berry-producing plants

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Cedar Bird

Average Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Max Lifespan

8.2 years [4]

Predators

Main predators include hawks, falcons, and domestic cats, especially for nestlings and fledglings.

Did You Know?

  1. Cedar Waxwings can become intoxicated from eating overripe fermented berries.
  2. They are one of the few North American birds that can survive on a diet of fruit alone for several months.
  3. The red tips on their wings are not feathers but waxy secretions that may signal age or status.

References

  1. 1

    website: BirdLife International. 2021. Bombycilla cedrorum. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T22708153A137475540.

    View source
  2. 3

    report, 2019: Partners in Flight; Rosenberg et al.

  3. 2

    website, 2022: Partners in Flight

    View source
  4. 4

    website: BBL - Longevity Records of North American Birds

    View source

Share Your Feedback

We value your opinion! Let us know what you think about this bird page.

Thank you for your feedback! We appreciate your input.