Cedar Waxwing

Appearance:

Length: 5.5-6.7 in
Weight: 1.1 oz
Wingspan: 8.7-11.8 in

The Cedar Waxwing is a medium-sized, sleek bird with a large head, short neck, and short, wide bill. Waxwings have a crest that often lies flat and droops over the back of the head. The wings are broad and pointed, like a starling. The tail is fairly short and square-tipped.

Habitat:

Cedar Waxwings can be found in areas with trees and shrubs that produce fruits, such as hackberry, red mulberry, eastern red cedar, black cherry, and American holly.

Behavior:

Cedar Waxwings are social birds. They move in flocks across Alabama during the fall, winter, and spring season stripping trees of their berries. They sit in fruiting trees swallowing berries whole, or pluck them in mid-air with a brief fluttering hover. They also course over water for insects, flying like tubby, slightly clumsy swallows.

During colder weather the Cedar Waxwings main food source (Polk Berries) will freeze, and then. when left to sit out in the spring sun. will thaw. This begins the fermentation process within the berries. Since Cedar Waxwings will gorge themselves on Polk berries this can lead them to becoming drunk. This can lead to flock of Cedar Waxwings haphazardly colliding into buildings.