| Cedar Waxwing | ||||||||||||||
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| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||
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| Binomial name | ||||||||||||||
| Bombycilla cedrorum |
The Cedar Waxwing, Bombycilla cedrorum, is a member of the Family Bombicillidae or waxwing family of passerine birds. It breeds in coniferous forests in North America, principally southern Canada and the northern USA. Most of the population migrates further south into the USA. This is a very rare vagrant to western Europe, with two records in Great Britain
Like other waxwings, it eats insects in the breeding season and berries in winter, including arils of the yew. This species is eruptive, moving south in huge numbers if the berry supply fails in winter.
Its flight is strong and direct, and in flight it looks like a small pale starling. It is smaller and browner than the Bohemian Waxwing, which breeds further north than Cedar Waxwing in the North American part of its range.
Birds in winter can be very confiding and will come into gardens for berry bushes and trees.