Cedar Waxwing
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Common Name: Cedar
Waxwing
Class: Aves
Order:
Passeriformes
Family:
Bombycillidae
Genus:
Bombycilla
Species:
Bombycilla
cedrorum
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Photo: Ivan Andrijevic |
TAXONOMY
The
Cedar Waxwing is one of three species that make up the Waxwing family – Bombycillidae – and is the only Waxwing that can be found in Western New
York year-round. The Cedar
Waxwing’s Latin name, Bombycilla cedrorum, can be translated to mean
“silk wagtail of the cedars.” In other words,
these sleek silky looking birds have an affinity for the
cedar trees, and can often be found with its tail in
motion. The Cedar
Waxwing has a mostly tan head and upper body, a dull
yellow belly and flanks, and a grey lower back, wings,
and tail.
The Cedar Waxwing shows yellow tips on its tail but this
color may vary to a darker red color that depends on
their diet. The Cedar Waxwing it's distinguishable
from the larger Bohemian Waxwing by size and also
the contrast between the Cedar Waxwing's yellow belly
yellow-red waxy wingtips compared to the Bohemian
Waxwing that has a light grey belly and white wing
tips.
HABITAT/DIET
Cedar
Waxwings can be found throughout the northern half of
the United States and the southern most portion of
Canada, from the east coast to the west coast,
year-round. During the summer, they also migrate
further north into Canada, as far as the northern border
of Saskatchewan. During the winter, they will migrate
and be found in the southern half of the United States,
from coast to coast, and throughout Central America.
They
rely mainly on fruit for food, and when fruit is not
available, insects become a large part of their diet. Usually Cedar Waxwings will make their homes in open
woodlands within these ranges where fruiting shrubs and
trees may be found.
Photo: M. Noonan
BEHAVIOR
Cedar Waxwings are
extremely social birds, and they often live in large groups. The reason
for this being that the major part of their diet, fruit, is usually patchy
and hard to come by so living in groups helps locate their food source.
Also because of this flocking behavior they do not
display many signs of territoriality, with the exception of males towards
other Cedar Waxwings when the male’s mate is in/near the nest with him.
This behavior is especially seen during nest building and egg laying
periods. During the breeding season, Cedar Waxwings will create pair bonds
formed through courtship feeding,
and mating pairs will remain together for the entire nesting season. They
often raise two broods per season, each clutch an average of 4 eggs. It is
not known whether Cedar Waxwings remain together year after year or mate for
life. The amount of time it takes for eggs to hatch varies tremendously
within Cedar Waxwings, however, after hatching it takes an average of 16
days for the hatchlings to leave the nest.
Photo: M. Noonan
WHERE TO FIND THEM
Cedar Waxwings may be found through out Western New York all year round and because
Cedar Waxwings depend so heavily on fruit for their food, looking in fruit
bearing trees and bushes for feeding birds would be wise. During the breeding season, males
can often be found perching high above the nest; this may be a good way to
spot a nearby nest.
Photo: M. Noonan
