I have a new passion for Cedar Waxwings. Before the last few months, I’d only seen a small flock of a dozen or so at most, not often either.
Cedar Waxwings
I’ve now become accustomed to seeing them daily, early in the morning from my yard, so love it!
Cedar Waxwings
Past couple weeks, they’ve been traveling in larger flocks as they do in the fall/winter months.
Flock of Cedar Waxwings
The Cedar Waxwing’s tail tip is a bright yellow. It’s possible to see some with orange/red tail tips. This occurs from the bird’s diet. They love honeysuckle berries, and it’s been found that the imported invasive Morrow’s Honeysuckle’s berries contains red as well as the normal yellow honeysuckle pigment. If a Cedar Waxwing happens to eat enough of Morrow’s Honeysuckle berries at the time of feather formation (they molt between August and January), its tail feathers will have orange/red tips instead of the usual yellow.
I ‘ve seen orange/red tail tipped Cedar Waxwings. Next, is a not-so-great shot of two Cedar Waxwings showing the tips of their tail orange/red.
Cedar Waxwings (top left, top right) have orange/red tail tips
One of my favorite birds, their fine feathers create a velvety look. Interesting about diet at molt effecting tail color, but makes sense– like cardinals and flamingoes, diet counts!
A ‘velvety’ look is a great description, Eliza! While my post went live this morning, I was out capturing closer images of them eating berries, it was exciting! 🙂
Such handsome birds! You certainly have a bunch of them enjoying your hospitality.
We should start seeing them filter through our area pretty soon now.
This morning I was out watching and photographing them again, not a huge flock this time, but still exciting to watch them up even closer than the photos here I just posted. Figures! 😉 lol
When I saw a flock land off in the distance on that tree, I figured they were starlings. But I still put my binoculars on them and almost lost my balance fumbling to get my zoom lens on them when I realized they were waxwings. 😂😊
I have been quite excited with the waxwings, some are still around. I’m not sure if they’ll be around all winter, but they have surely been a treat for me!
Interesting to read about the color differences based on the kind of berries they eat. Thanks for sharing Donna. Enjoy the weekend.
Thank you, Rudi, you too!
I didn’t know the diet can give a particular colour to the plumage! Nice series of pics, Donna!
Thank you, Indira!
One of my favorite birds, their fine feathers create a velvety look. Interesting about diet at molt effecting tail color, but makes sense– like cardinals and flamingoes, diet counts!
A ‘velvety’ look is a great description, Eliza! While my post went live this morning, I was out capturing closer images of them eating berries, it was exciting! 🙂
Can’t wait to see what you captured, such a photogenic bird.
Me either, lol, posting shortly. 😉
Very glad that you have made your way back to your blog . . thanks for sharing.
Thank you so very much!
So many waxwings! Super!
Thank you, Hien!
I love their whirring sound as they fly over the houses inside the community, late fall is here.
Me too, I usually hear them first before I see them! 🙂
Such handsome birds! You certainly have a bunch of them enjoying your hospitality.
We should start seeing them filter through our area pretty soon now.
Thank you, Wally! It’s been quite entertaining. Yes, here they come!!
That’s so neat that you’ve been seeing large flocks of them each morning. They’re so cool looking. Great images, Donna!
Thank you, Deborah! They are pretty cool with their bandit look!
Very exciting to see so many waxwings. I love these dramatically masked birds.
This morning I was out watching and photographing them again, not a huge flock this time, but still exciting to watch them up even closer than the photos here I just posted. Figures! 😉 lol
We have waxwings visiting a neighbouring town but sadly none have been seen locally yet this year. They are lovely birds.
I so hope they come a-visiting soon for you!
Wow! That’s a large flock of waxwings. That’s very interesting how eating an invasive berry can change the color of their tail tips.
When I saw a flock land off in the distance on that tree, I figured they were starlings. But I still put my binoculars on them and almost lost my balance fumbling to get my zoom lens on them when I realized they were waxwings. 😂😊
Likewise Donna, they are a fav of mine among your beautiful birds
So happy you enjoy these of ours too, they have always been a thrill when I’d see one. Now I have a backyardful, wow!
Fascinating to know that when and what they eat changes their feather tails. Thank you.
Some of the birds in the 2nd and 5th photos look like little rockets! They’re certainly nice looking birds. 👍😀
I get that, when I see birds shooting like that, I think of them as bullets! lol They do have a unique look to them that is captivating! Thanks, Mike!
That’s a lot of Cedars! I always like hearing their high pitched squeaks.
Especially cool sounding with large flocks squeaking!
An amazing bunch of Cedars. It was fascinating to learn something about a bird, which I am unfamiliar with. Blessings Donna.
I have been quite excited with the waxwings, some are still around. I’m not sure if they’ll be around all winter, but they have surely been a treat for me!