Bird · GBIF taxon 2484609
Cedar Waxwing
Bombycilla cedrorumAlso known as Cedar Bird, Canada Robin
Cedar waxwings are sleek, crested songbirds defined by their silky peach-brown plumage, striking black masks, and brilliant red waxy tips on their secondary wing feathers. These highly social birds travel in nomadic flocks, filling the canopy with high-pitched, thin whistles as they search for ripe fruit. During the breeding season, pairs perform a charming courtship ritual, passing a single berry back and forth until one finally eats it.
FrugivorousSocialMigratory
1 / 7—observations
—countries
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Juniper berries
- Serviceberries
- Flying ants
Predators
- Cooper's Hawk
- Sharp-shinned Hawk
- Merlin
ThreatsWindow collisions, pesticide exposure, and outdoor cats
HabitatsOpen woodlands, orchards, suburban parks, and riparian corridors
Life span5 to 8 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderPasseriformes
- FamilyBombycillidae
- GenusBombycilla
- SpeciesBombycilla cedrorum
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Plant Native Shrubs: Attract these birds by planting berry-producing species like serviceberry, dogwood, and juniper.
- Prevent Window Strikes: Apply decals or screens to large windows, as these fast-flying birds are highly susceptible to collisions.
- Listen for Whistles: Locate flocks by listening for their distinctive, high-pitched, trilling calls coming from the treetops.
Frequent Companion Sandysphotos2009 / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
Host Plant (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · cc-by-sa
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