{"id":3158,"date":"2017-11-27T22:00:36","date_gmt":"2017-11-28T03:00:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/sensoryecology\/?p=3158"},"modified":"2017-11-30T14:16:35","modified_gmt":"2017-11-30T19:16:35","slug":"cedar-waxwing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/sensoryecology\/cedar-waxwing\/","title":{"rendered":"Cedar Waxwing"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum<\/em>) General Biology:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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APPEARANCE<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Cedar Waxing boasts a shiny silk-like collection of wing feathers ranging from
\nrusty brown to industrial grey. In addition, the golden yellow tip of the squared off tail
\nsets the bird apart during identification. Its overall plumage is complemented by the
\nslick reddish-brown crown and crisp, solid black eye line. On the tip of its wings, we
\nobserve fluorescent red, \u201cwax like\u201d droplets set against the subtly grey background
\nplumage. The beak is short, sharp, and black, giving it prime ability to crack open
\nseeds while foraging for fruit. (Witmer et al., 2014)<\/h4>\n

On average, the cedar waxwing weighs about 32 g and is no more than 15.5 cm in
\nlength. The Cedar Waxwing\u2019s order is passeriformes<\/em> while it belongs to the family
\nbombycillidae<\/em>.<\/h4>\n

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Cedar Waxwing<\/em><\/h4>\n

(https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/guide\/Cedar_Waxwing\/lifehistory#at_nesting)<\/em><\/h4>\n

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Cedar Waxwing Distribution<\/em><\/h4>\n

(https:\/\/www.sdakotabirds.com\/species\/maps\/cedar_waxwing_map.htm)<\/em><\/h4>\n

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SOCIAL BEHAVIOR<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Cedar Waxwing holds a dominant presence in southeastern Canada and
\nnortheastern United States. It can be found year-round in most, if not all, of the
\nnortheastern region of the United States.<\/h4>\n

Cedar Waxwings, are quite a social species as they will flock in large groups
\nthroughout the year; however, winter seems to be the season during which Cedar
\nWaxwing flocks are the largest. In addition, this species tends to convene in small
\ngroups at certain fruit crops throughout the breeding season to collect food. Often
\ntimes, the Cedar Waxwing joins the flock of another species called the Bohemian
\nWaxwing and vice versa. When it comes to nesting and nesting sites, the Cedar
\nWaxwing demonstrates aggressive behavior to certain species. This is interesting
\nbecause species such as: Hermit Thrush, American Goldfinch, Gray Catbird, House
\nWren, Common Gackle, and American Redstart will receive aggressive behavior from
\nthe Cedar Waxwing because of the threat of nest take over. However, species such as
\nthe Eastern Phoebe, Black-capped Chickadee, Yellow Warbler, Red-eyed Vireo, and
\nIndigo Bunting do not receive aggressive behavior from the Cedar Waxwing. (Witmer et al., 2014)<\/h4>\n

Regarding predation, the following species are known predators of Cedar Waxwings:
\nMerlin, Sharp-skinned Hawk, Cooper\u2019s Hawk, Common Grackles, Blue Jays, and
\nHouse Wrens. The way a Cedar Waxwing responds to predation is through an erect
\nposture, making itself seem \u201ccryptic\u201d. The waxwings will transition from elongated
\nflight formation to vertical line formation when pursued by a predator. In the case of
\nthe Cooper\u2019s Hawk, this tactic proved itself successful as the predator accelerated past
\nthe flock of Cedar Waxwings. When a nest is disturbed, the male Cedar Waxwing will
\ndeliver a seee<\/em> disturbance call while perched in a \u201csentinel position\u201d near the nest.
\n(Witmer et al., 2014)<\/h4>\n

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Cedar Waxwing during predation: erect posture<\/em><\/h4>\n

(https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/122582421077495779)<\/em><\/h4>\n

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FORAGING AND HABITAT<\/strong><\/p>\n

Before diving into its foraging style, let\u2019s consider the Cedar Waxwing\u2019s habitat. This
\nbird prefers open woodlands, shrubby field, deciduous, coniferous, and other mixed
\nwoodlands. Areas alongside streams are also preferable for this species. The given
\nhabitat for the Cedar Waxwing pertains mostly to their diet, which includes the fruits
\nof shrubs and small trees. (Audobon, Guide to North American Birds)<\/h4>\n

As mentioned earlier, the Cedar Waxwing possesses a short and sharp beak that helps
\nit to forage for seeds, fruit, and berries. The Cedar Waxwing is quite unique in that the
\nbird can sustain itself on fruit alone for months at a time, making it known as a
\nfrugivore. While holding a branch with its claws, the bird will pluck the fruit off for
\nconsumption; however, the bird will also hover for some time to pluck a berry off a
\ntree. Their main diet consists of fleshy fruits and insects as well. When foraging for
\ninsects, fruit, or even flowers, the Cedar Waxwing forages in fruiting trees and shrubs
\nlocated in either towns or suburbs. During the summer, they enjoy strawberries,
\nmulberries, dogwood, and raspberries. In the winter season, the bird\u2019s diet consists
\nalmost completely of fruit and its favorite berry tends to be the cedar berries during
\nthe winter. In the spring, the bird\u2019s diet becomes mostly flowers and insects as fruit
\ncrops begin to die out across their habitat. (Witmer et al., 2014)<\/h4>\n

When a gut analysis was performed on 212 Cedar Waxwings from the northeastern
\nU.S, researchers found that 84% of their diet consisted of fruit, 12% of insect prey, and
\n4% of flowers; this was a representation of the annual diet. From fall to winter, fruit
\ntends to be 100% of the bird\u2019s diet. Similarly, Cedar Waxwings in the wild choose to
\nconsume sugary fruits such as cherries, crab apples, hawthorn fruits and cedar
\nberries. In this respect, the Cedar Waxwing can sustain itself with fruit for at least 2
\nmonths and performs quite well while consuming sugary, low-protein fruits. (Witmer et al., 2014)<\/h4>\n

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Cedar Waxwing eating berries<\/em><\/h4>\n

(<\/em>https:\/\/fineartamerica.com\/featured\/1-cedar-waxwing-eating-serviceberry-doris-dumrauf.html)<\/em><\/h4>\n

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BREEDING BEHAVIOR<\/strong><\/p>\n

As far as breeding is concerned, Cedar Waxwings typically start the egg-laying process
\nfrom early June through early August. This breeding behavior is correlated with the
\nripening of the fruits Cedar Waxwings eat in the early-to-late summer months. The
\nmale usually initiates courtship-hopping<\/em> with pecking of the beak and the female
\nmust reciprocate for success. (Witmer et al., 2014)<\/h4>\n

Usually, the female waxwing will perform most of the nesting during the first nesting
\nattempt of the mating season. She takes materials such as blossoms, string, horsehair,
\ngrasses, twigs, and other natural materials and compiles a \u201ccup\u201d formation. By the end,
\na waxwing may have performed some 2500 trips before construction is over. Females
\nnormally make the ultimate decision of where the nest will be located, and it seems the
\nwaxwing prefers the edge of wooded areas or isolated trees\/shrubs. More specifically,
\nthey select the fork of a branch for added stability.<\/h4>\n

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Cedar Waxwing perched next to its nest<\/em><\/h4>\n

(<\/em>http:\/\/wildbirdsunlimited.typepad.com\/the_zen_birdfeeder\/2013\/07\/cedar-waxwing-nest.html)<\/em><\/h4>\n

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