Cedar Waxwing

Cedar Waxwing sitting on a branch
Cedar Waxwing. Photo by Mike Carmo.
AppearanceThe cedar waxwing is about 7 1/4″ long, primarily light brown with a silky crest of the same color, yellow belly, a bright yellow tip on the tail, varying shades of brown underneath, and a touch of red at the tip of the upper wings. The beak is black, short, and pointy.
Male and female adults look pretty much the same with one very subtle difference – the black on the male’s chin encompasses a slightly larger area than the female
DietMostly fruit. Insects if no fruit is available.
Feeder FoodFruit (oranges)
HabitatOpen forests, orchards, and wooded residential areas especially near berry bushes.
NestingThe pair builds an open-cup-style nest 6-20′ high in a tree. She lays 3-5 eggs and incubates for 12-14 days. The eggs are blue-gray and often spotted with black or gray.

Range Map

US map showing the migration range of the cedar waxwing
Map depicting where cedar waxwings can be found throughout the year. Compliments of Cornell University.