Juvenile Cedar Waxwings Migrating
Possibly because of the importance of summer fruits in their diet, Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) are late nesters, but by late August adults have begun their migration to the southern states and Central America. This year’s young are beginning this (roughly) 900-mile flight now, a month after their parents have left. You can often find waxwings feeding in crab apple and other fruit trees where they stop over during their flight to refuel. Juvenile birds lack the sleek look of adults — the red wax-like feather tips for which this bird is named have not developed, and the color of their plumage is much duller than that of the adults.
Wow! They may not have the “wax wings” yet, but boy, can they open their mouths!
October 3, 2012 at 11:45 am
I’m not sure who posted the comment about wide mouths (it wasn’t me) but I agree!
October 3, 2012 at 1:09 pm
We’ve seen Cedar Waxwings in Maine during the Christmas Bird Count.
October 3, 2012 at 11:57 am
Yes, waxwings are present along the northern and mid-Atlantic coast year round!
October 3, 2012 at 1:07 pm
In the spring, flocks of them come and feed in the Common Hackberrys in Windsor. This is a very rare tree up north and has good fruits which last, and these sustain the newly arriving robins and waxwings.
October 3, 2012 at 3:03 pm