Tag Archives: Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum)

Cedar Waxwings Hunting For Ripe Berries

May 30, 2026

Two Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) this morning, hunting with great determination in my many Blueberry bushes (Vaccinium). Going from branch to branch looking for a gorgeous deep blue gem with a frosted look.

A few minutes pass and I can almost hear one of the birds shout with excitement, “Oh! I got one!”

Now, please dear Cedar Waxwings, don’t eat too many. Be kind to me, like you have in years past. Leave enough for me to make muffins and pies throughout the year.

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Up In The Cedar

January 8, 2026

Many Robins (Turdus migratorius) along with their flocking buddies, Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum), up in the Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana).

They’re enjoying the frosty blue colored berries, which are not really berries at all but seed cones. They usually contain one to three seeds. A great food source for both Robins and Cedar Waxwings.

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Two Cedar Waxwings

January 3, 2026

Two Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) sitting in a tree looking for berries.

The Waxwing in full view has a tail with yellow tips. This is the normal color. Beginning in the 1960s some Cedar Waxwings began to develop orange tail tips. This is the result of their eating the berries of the non-native Morrow’s Honeysuckle (Lonicera morrowii) as it was just getting recognition as an invasive.

Cedar Waxwings that eat large amounts of the berries of Morrow’s Honeysuckle will develop orange tail tips, as you can see on the barely visible Waxwing in the left of the photo. As the consumption of Morrow’s Honeysuckble berries stops and the bird goes through its next full molt, its yellow tips will return.

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Meeting Up At The Old Watering Hole

December 19, 2025

At a puddle of water on the lane. Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) and Robins (Turdus migratorius) are social birds, particularly in the winter and share the same taste in food, during the winter as well. Another thing they share is their affinity for birdbaths and puddles for drinking and bathing.

When I see a single bird in either of these species I am always on the alert that I will see many more of both species, flocking to a tree or bush for its berries.

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Winterizing For The Birds

December 4, 2025

At the birdbath, three, but many more are around eating the berries. A Robin (Turdus migratorius), and two Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum), enjoying water in liquid form during some mighty cold weather.

Today I decided I’d better get out in the cold to winterize the birdbath. Remove the dripper and empty the tubing of the remaining water. Clean out the birdbath and add fresh water. Untangle the electric cord that had been running the pump in the pond and attach it to the water warmer.

Now, all set. Just waiting to see if we actually get any snow overnight. I hope so.

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A Flock Of Cedar Waxwings

November 30, 2025

Hanging out at the Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra), a large number of Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum). Word must be out that there are berries here.

Sociable birds, Cedar Waxwings often travel in groups. Unlike many other birds, they even build their nests in close proximity to one another. While looking for a source of food, they will gather in large flocks, into the hundreds of individuals, often including Robins (Turdus migratorius).

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Oodles Of Birds This Morning

They swooped in this morning, delighting in the birdbaths, quenching their thirst. Too many to count. Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) and Robins (Turdus migratorius) everywhere. Then on their way hunting berries. And back again.

Back and forth many times this morning before the snow started. Snow that pleased me greatly. Falling into the evening though not quite cold enough to stick. Still, great mobs of beautiful birds and lovely snow.

Wondrous!

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Cedar Waxwings And Robins

Yesterday I sent you a picture of an American Robin (Turdus migratorius), one of many that I saw. I described how they flock together in the colder months in search of berries and small fruits, sometimes along with Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum). This morning lo and behold there were the Robins again, this time along with their buddies the Cedar Waxwings.

Perhaps you noticed in the picture at the top, there are no red wax tips on the wings of that Cedar Waxwing. But there are red wax tips on this one at the bird bath. Explanation? The red wax tips develop and increase in size and number as these Cedar Waxwings mature.

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