Cedar Waxwing

The Cedar Waxwing is a sleek, medium-sized songbird known for its silky crest, black mask, yellow tail-tip, and bright red wax-like droplets on the secondary wing feathers. Their plumage is exceptionally smooth and velvety, blending soft browns, grays, and yellows with elegant grace.

Soft, silky, uniform pinkish-brown or grayish-tan coloration with a smooth, blended appearance transitioning subtly toward the base; melanin-based coloration typical of adult body plumage

Tightly interlocked pennaceous vane structure with smooth barbs and well-developed barbicels, creating a sleek surface; soft plumulaceous base

Thin, flexible, central dark-to-light shaft with tightly packed, fine barbs extending evenly at a moderate angle, creating a seamless velvety texture

Extremely smooth, silky, and soft to the touch with a matte finish, lacking gloss but possessing the characteristic sleek texture of waxwing feathers

Breast or mantle/back region, determined by the silky texture, soft pinkish-brown coloration, and rounded contour shape characteristic of waxwing body plumage

Distinctive silky texture, soft blended pinkish-tan coloration, rounded tip, and lack of harsh barring or streaking, characteristic of Bombycilla body feathers

Open wooded areas, riparian zones, orchards, and suburban gardens rich in fruit-bearing trees and shrubs, especially those with cedars, dogwoods, and serviceberries

Breeds across the northern half of North America and winters throughout the southern United States, Mexico, and Central America, showing nomadic tendencies in search of fruit

Vital seed dispersers for many native shrub and tree species due to their fruit-heavy diet; populations fluctuate locally based on fruit availability

Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus), which is larger, exhibits white and yellow markings on the wings, and features chestnut undertail coverts

Cedar Waxwings can become intoxicated or even die from eating fermented overripe berries in late winter or early spring. They are highly social birds that often pass fruits down a line of perched flockmates.

Waxwings hold cultural significance in Native American folklore as symbols of sociability and seasonal change. Historically, their striking plumage occasionally drew attention in regional natural history collections.

Look for molted feathers near fruit-bearing trees, especially dogwoods, crabapples, and red cedars during late winter, spring, or fall migration periods

Good overall condition with intact barbs and a clean shaft, showing minimal wear or fraying at the rounded tip