Bombycilla cedrorum. The Cedar Waxwing is named for its red, waxlike tips on the secondary flight-feathers of adult birds. During the winter months, which is when they visit our area (Los Altos, CA), they are seen in flocks eating berries in bushes and trees. Their diet consists mostly of sugary fruits. They have no song, but their calls are distinctive buzzy or trilled high-pitched notes made up of rapidly repeated elements.
In trying to come up with an explanation of just how 'perfect' this bird seems to look, I found this, "...the fact is that the entire body of Cedar Waxwing seems poured from wax. From the sweptback rakish crest to the yellow-tipped tail, every feather on the adult seems seamlessly set in place." (from Pete Dunne's 'Essential Field Guide Companion')
You can learn more information about the Cedar Waxwing by following the link: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Cedar_Waxwing/id
I want to thank Renee Fitzsimons for her inspiration for today's bird!
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