Waxwings (Bombycillidae)
Cedar Waxwing
Bombycilla cedrorum. Almost entirely fruit; insects in summer.
Waxwings (Bombycillidae)Cedar WaxwingBombycilla cedrorum
- Scientific name
- Bombycilla cedrorum
- Length
- 5.5–6.7 in
- Weight
- 1.1 oz
- Nest
- Loose cup in tree forks, often late June
- Entrance hole
- Does not use nest boxes
- Clutch
- 2–6 eggs
- Incubation
- 11–13 days
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
Identification
- Silky tan with a black mask and crest
- Yellow tail tip
- Waxy red tips on the wing feathers
Voice
Thin, high 'sreee' whistles.
Diet and feeding
Almost entirely fruit; insects in summer.
What do cedar waxwings eat? · Best feeder for cedar waxwings
Cedar Waxwings by state and province
| Region | Status | Nesting |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Winter visitor | — |
| Alaska | Summer breeder | July–August |
| Alberta | Summer breeder | July–August |
| Arizona | Winter visitor | — |
| Arkansas | Winter visitor | — |
| British Columbia | Year-round resident | July–August |
| California | Winter visitor | — |
| Colorado | Year-round resident | June–August |
| Connecticut | Year-round resident | June–August |
| Delaware | Year-round resident | June–August |
| Florida | Winter visitor | — |
| Georgia | Winter visitor | — |
| Idaho | Year-round resident | June–August |
| Illinois | Year-round resident | June–August |
| Indiana | Year-round resident | June–August |
| Iowa | Year-round resident | June–August |
| Kansas | Winter visitor | — |
| Kentucky | Year-round resident | June–August |
| Louisiana | Winter visitor | — |
| Maine | Year-round resident | July–August |
| Manitoba | Summer breeder | July–August |
| Maryland | Year-round resident | June–August |
| Massachusetts | Year-round resident | June–August |
| Michigan | Year-round resident | June–August |
| Minnesota | Year-round resident | July–August |
| Mississippi | Winter visitor | — |
| Missouri | Year-round resident | June–August |
| Montana | Year-round resident | July–August |
| Nebraska | Year-round resident | June–August |
| Nevada | Year-round resident | June–August |
| New Brunswick | Year-round resident | July–August |
| New Hampshire | Year-round resident | July–August |
| New Jersey | Year-round resident | June–August |
| New Mexico | Winter visitor | — |
| New York | Year-round resident | June–August |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Summer breeder | July–August |
| North Carolina | Year-round resident | June–August |
| North Dakota | Year-round resident | July–August |
| Northwest Territories | Summer breeder | July–August |
| Nova Scotia | Year-round resident | July–August |
| Ohio | Year-round resident | June–August |
| Oklahoma | Winter visitor | — |
| Ontario | Year-round resident | July–August |
| Oregon | Year-round resident | June–August |
| Pennsylvania | Year-round resident | June–August |
| Prince Edward Island | Summer breeder | July–August |
| Quebec | Year-round resident | July–August |
| Rhode Island | Year-round resident | June–August |
| Saskatchewan | Summer breeder | July–August |
| South Carolina | Winter visitor | — |
| South Dakota | Year-round resident | June–August |
| Tennessee | Year-round resident | June–August |
| Texas | Winter visitor | — |
| Utah | Year-round resident | June–August |
| Vermont | Year-round resident | July–August |
| Virginia | Year-round resident | June–August |
| Washington | Year-round resident | June–August |
| West Virginia | Year-round resident | June–August |
| Wisconsin | Year-round resident | July–August |
| Wyoming | Year-round resident | July–August |
| Yukon | Summer breeder | July–August |
Frequently asked
What do cedar waxwings eat?
Almost entirely fruit; insects in summer. At feeders: fresh or frozen berries.
How big is a Cedar Waxwing?
5.5–6.7 in long and 1.1 oz.
Do cedar waxwings use birdhouses?
No. Loose cup in tree forks, often late June.
Sources
- Cedar Waxwing — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Cedar Waxwing life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Cedar Waxwing — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.