The Cedar Waxwing is a sleek, elegant bird found across North America. With their distinctive crest, black mask, and yellow-tipped tail, Cedar Waxwings stand out wherever they occur. Though they breed across much of the continent, these sociable birds tend to be most numerous in certain parts of their range. By looking at the habitats and food sources Cedar Waxwings prefer, we can get a better understanding of where they are most abundant.
What are Cedar Waxwings?
Cedar Waxwings are medium-sized songbirds that measure 15–18 cm (5.9–7.1 in) in length and weigh roughly 30 g (1.1 oz). They have a wingspan of 8.2-11.4 in (20.8-29 cm). Their plumage is a soft brown color, with a crest that often lies flat on the head. The black mask and throat contrast with the pale yellow belly. The wings have red wax-like tips, while the tail terminates in bright yellow.
Distinctive Features
Some key features that distinguish Cedar Waxwings include:
– Crest – The crest is a distinctive feature that sits atop the head. It can be raised up when the bird is excited.
– Black Mask – The black mask covers the face and throat. The mask is separated from the crest by white and brown stripes.
– Red Wax Drops – The wings have red, wax-like tips that look like drops of sealing wax. This gives the Cedar Waxwing its name.
– Yellow-tipped Tail – The tail is gray-brown and terminates in a bright yellow band. This yellow tip is especially visible during flight.
– Brown and Gray Plumage – The overall plumage color is a soft brown-gray. The underparts are pale gray-yellow.
Behavior
Cedar Waxwings exhibit highly social behavior. They travel, forage, roost, and breed in flocks of 20-100 or more birds. Their diet consists mainly of fruit and berries. They will flycatch for insects as well. Being highly nomadic, they wander over large areas in search of fruit sources.
Breeding Range
Cedar Waxwings breed across much of North America. Their breeding range stretches north to Alaska and the southern Canadian provinces. It extends south to Baja California, Mexico and the Gulf Coast.
Within this broad range, they breed in open woodlands, along riparian corridors, orchards, farms, parks, and suburban areas. Anywhere there are trees and a source of berries or fruit. East of the Great Plains, they tend to stick to moist woodlands near water. Further west, they occupy both riparian and drier woodlands.
Some key areas where they commonly nest include:
– Northern forests – They breed across boreal forests from Alaska to the northern tier of the U.S. Breeding is most common in openings and along forest edges.
– Eastern Deciduous forests – Throughout eastern deciduous forests, including the Appalachians. They favor forests interspersed with fields and orchards.
– Southeastern U.S. – Common breeders in open pine forests, cypress swamps, and wooded wetlands.
– Midwest – Abundant in the woodlands, orchards, and parks of the Midwest. Also common in the deciduous river bottoms of the Mississippi Flyway.
– Southwest – Breeds in scattered riparian woodlands, orchards, and suburbs across the Southwest.
Breeding Habitat Preferences
Cedar Waxwings breed in a variety of semi-open and woodland habitats, including:
– Edges – Forest edges, openings, overgrown fields.
– Parks – Town parks, golf courses, cemeteries with trees.
– Orchards – Fruit orchards.
– Riparian – River bottoms, streamsides, other wooded wetlands.
– Suburban – Tree lined neighborhoods, garden plantings.
– Semi-open woodlands – Open boreal/northern hardwood forests, pine savannas.
They typically require trees for nesting along with open space and a water source nearby. Easy access to fruit-bearing trees and shrubs is essential.
Wintering Range and Habitats
In winter, Cedar Waxwings shift their range southward along with the availability of berry-producing plants. However, they are present year-round through much of their breeding range as long as food supplies persist.
Key Wintering Regions
– Pacific Northwest/Southwest – Abundant along the Pacific Coast into California where fruiting trees provide winter food.
– Southeast – Common in the southeastern U.S., especially in wetlands and wax myrtle forests.
– Southern Plains – Large numbers reach the southern plains, where they depend on juniper berries.
– Appalachians – Present in good numbers wherever berry sources allow.
– Midwest – Numbers increase around farms, parks, and urban areas with fruiting trees.
– Mexico – Ranges south along mountain chains into Mexico.
Winter Habitats
Cedar Waxwings use a variety of habitats in winter where they can find persistent berry crops and insect sources, including:
– Urban/suburban – Parks, golf courses, neighborhoods, landscaped commercial areas.
– Orchards and farms – Fruit and berry farms.
– Riparian areas – River and stream bottoms.
– Wetlands – Forested wetlands, especially wax myrtle stands.
– Juniper woodlands – Rocky Mountain and southern juniper-savannas.
– Mountain pine forests – Higher elevation pine forests with berry-producing shrubs.
They often wander nomadically following fruit sources. Flocks concentrate wherever food is abundant.
Key Factors Influencing Distribution
Several key factors influence the distribution pattern of Cedar Waxwings throughout the year:
Fruit and Berry Crops
Waxwings depend heavily on fruit for food. Their movements closely track the availability of berry and fruit crops. Key plants include:
– Cedar – Feed on cedar cones and berries nearly year-round in some regions, especially junipers.
– Serviceberry – These early-fruiting trees provide an important food source on the breeding grounds.
– Honeysuckle – Ripe honeysuckle berries attract large number of waxwings.
– Dogwood – Fruits of flowering dogwood draw in big flocks during summer and fall.
– Viburnum – Berries of viburnums are a preferred food source.
– Mountain Ash – Flocks gorge on mountain ash berries where available.
– Ornamentals – Fruits from crabapples, pyracantha, and other ornamentals sustain flocks in winter.
Waxwings migrate and wander to find trees and shrubs that offer a bounty of ripe berries. They flock wherever fruit is abundant.
Open Woodlands
Although they use various habitat types, waxwings prefer semi-open woodlands. More open terrain gives them room to flycatch insects. Openings with berry bushes also draw the largest flocks.
Water
The presence of waterways, lakes, ponds or other wet areas provides important habitat. They bathe and drink frequently, so having water access is a key factor.
Resident or Migratory
Northern populations migrate farther south in winter. But waxwings residing in milder climates with ample food may remain in the same area year-round. Those with access to ornamental plants and juniper berries especially tend to stay put.
Regional Abundance
While Cedar Waxwings occur across most of North America, their abundance varies by region. Areas supporting the largest populations include:
Pacific Northwest
The Pacific Northwest has very large waxwing numbers, especially west of the Cascades. Mild winters allow waxwings to stay year-round where fruiting trees flourish. Urban areas attract big flocks to ornamental tree fruits.
Midwest and Northeast
Areas like the Midwest, Great Lakes, and Northeast support thriving populations. Parks, wetlands, orchards, and yards with fruiting trees and shrubs provide excellent habitat. Numbers increase in winter.
Southeast
The berry-rich forests of the Southeast maintain plentiful waxwing populations. They thrive in pine savannas, cypress forests, and suburban areas. Mostly resident year-round.
Appalachians
The fruiting trees of Appalachian forests provide ideal waxwing habitat. Serviceberry, dogwood, and viburnum sustain large numbers, though many migrate south.
Southwest
Riparian areas and juniper woodlands scattered across the Southwest harbor local populations. Though overall densities are lower than other regions. Some migration occurs.
Region | Breeding Season Abundance | Winter Abundance |
---|---|---|
Pacific Northwest | Very High | Very High |
Northeast | High | Very High |
Midwest | High | Very High |
Southeast | High | High |
Great Plains | Medium | Medium |
Southwest | Medium | Medium |
Southern Canada | High | Low |
Ideal Cedar Waxwing Habitat
Cedar Waxwings thrive in locations that provide:
– Abundant fruit and berry sources – Trees like crabapple, serviceberry, cedar, and mountain ash produce crops of fruit. Shrubs like honeysuckle, viburnum, and pyracantha also feed waxwings.
– Open woodlands or woodland edges – They prefer trees for nesting with adjacent open areas for foraging on insects. Open grown orchards are ideal.
– Water access – Nearby wetlands, lakes, streams or other water sources provide drinking and bathing.
– Mild climate – Areas with mild winters and warmer climates support year-round residents. Colder climates see more migrants and winter population shifts.
– Semi-urban environments – Parks, suburban neighborhoods, landscaped commercial areas provide food, nest sites, and open foraging space.
The Pacific Northwest perfectly encapsulates the optimal habitat requirements for Cedar Waxwings. The mild climate, fruiting trees, and abundance of wetlands allow dense populations to live there year-round. But any location providing their habitat needs can support a thriving community of these elegant social birds.
Conclusion
Cedar Waxwings occur widely across North America, but a few key regions harbor the largest populations. The abundance of fruiting trees in the Pacific Northwest and across the East allow high densities of waxwings to persist year-round or seasonally. Mild climates and urban areas with ornamental plantings also encourage stable regional populations. Though they occupy diverse habitats, proximity to fruiting trees and open woodlands remains the key factor determining waxwing distribution and numbers through the seasons. Understanding their habitat needs helps pinpoint the areas where Cedar Waxwings are most at home across the continent.