Cedar Waxwing

A medium-sized, elegant songbird with a distinctive crest and black mask. The Cedar Waxwing has a silky, brownish plumage that blends into gray on the wings and tail. It is named for the yellow tip of its tail and the red, waxy droplets sometimes found on the tips of its inner wing feathers

Distinctive bicolored pattern. The proximal two-thirds is a soft, warm grayish-brown, transitioning sharply into a bright yellow terminal band at the tip

Densely interlocked pennaceous barbs on the upper three-quarters; plumulaceous (fluffy) barbs at the base for insulation; barbs appear intact and healthy

The rachis is relatively thin and light-colored (ivory to pale tan), showing a slight curve toward the outer edge. Barb density is high, providing a smooth, uniform surface

Extremely smooth and silky texture with a soft matte luster. The surface is famously 'waxy' in appearance, though without the red secretion found on wing tips

Tail (Rectrix). The slight asymmetry and strong curvature of the rachis indicate it was positioned on the outer edge of the tail fan

Bold yellow terminal band on a brownish-gray vane; silky texture; lack of barring or spotting common in other passerines

Open woodlands, orchards, suburban gardens, and riparian areas rich in berry-producing shrubs and trees

Breeds across southern Canada and the northern United States; winters throughout the U.S., Mexico, and Central America

Primary seed disperser for many berry-producing plants; they are highly social and often travel in large, vocal flocks

Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus) feathers are similar but generally larger and associated with darker gray plumage and different wing markings

The color of the tail tip is determined by diet during molt. Birds that eat non-native Morrow's Honeysuckle berries can grow flight feathers with orange tips instead of yellow

Cedar Waxwings are frequent subjects of wildlife art and photography due to their 'airbrushed' appearance. There is no historical tradition of using these feathers for utility due to the bird's small size

Look for these in late summer or fall during the post-breeding molt, especially under fruiting trees like serviceberry, cedar, or crabapple

The feather appears to be in excellent condition, likely a freshly molted specimen with no visible fault bars or parasite damage