Bombycilla Cedrorum – Cedar Waxwing

Distinguishing Features – Cedar Waxwing is a crested bird of brownish tones on upper side graduating to greyish toward tail which is marked with a broad yellow tip. A narrow dark band or mask runs across forehead and around eyes.

Under beak, blackish graduating to brown on the throat; wings, slate coloured, sometimes with reddish appendages; abdomen and sides, pale greeny-yellow; under tail, whitish.

Male and female are indistinguishable but the female is slightly smaller.

  • Size – 16.5 – 20 cm
  • (6.5 – 8 in)

Cedar Waxwing

Habitat

Varied, from open and sparse, deciduous or coniferous woodlands to inhabited areas; prefers sites with small fruit-bearing trees and shrubs.

Nesting

Branches of trees or larger shrubs. The bulky nest is made of sticks, bark, and rootlets; lined with soft materials.

Eggs, 3 – 5; pale bluish-gray, dotted with black. The incubation period is 12 – 14 days.

Notes

The Cedar Waxwing is generally seen in flocks. It lives on a diet of small fruits and berries, as well as insects. Its song is a high-pitched whistled hiss.

Also, there are far more common bird species that you can find on our site.