Bombycilla cedrorum
The Cedar Waxwing's courtship display involves the passing of a berry to a potential mate. If the other bird is receptive, the berry is passed back and forth between the birds until the fruit is eventually eaten by the female. Cedar Waxwings are among of the last birds to nest in the Rocky Mountains. The delay in nesting is to ensure that the berry crop is well developed when the nestlings are growing quickly and in need of food. Waxwings frequently are the most numerous birds at fruit trees, but they are easily 'bullied' by robins and starlings, forcing the beautiful waxwings to whistle patiently from nearby trees. In fall, flocks of waxwings gorging themselves on fermented fruit are occasionally rendered flightless from intoxication. |
I.D.: Sexes similar. Adult: cinnamon crest; brown upperparts; black mask; yellow wash on the belly; gray rump; yellow, terminal tail band; white undertail coverts; red spots on the wings. Juvenile: no mask; streaked underparts; gray-brown body. Size: L 7 in. (18 cm). Range: common breeder and uncommon to rare winter resident throughout the Rockies. Habitat: forest edges, deciduous forests, shrublands and riparian woodlands in the foothills and the montane. Nesting: in a coniferous or deciduous tree or shrub; cup nest is made with twigs, grass, moss and lichens and often lined with fine grass; female incubates 3-5 eggs for 12-16 days. Feeding: gleans vegetation or catches flying insects on the wing; also eats berries and fruit, especially during fall and winter. Voice: faint, high-pitched whistle: tseee-tseee-tseee. Similar Species: Bohemian Waxwing: adult is larger, has red undertail coverts and has yellow and white wing spots; juvenile has red undertail coverts and white wing patches. |
