5 Things You Didn't Know About Cedar Waxwings!

Added: 2026-05-18

[00:00:00]The Cedar Waxwing is a striking backyard bird that is often seen in groups, and today we're going to go over five things you may not have known about them, starting with number one.

[00:00:10]They're actually one of three waxwing species. When people talk about waxwings, they're usually thinking of the Cedar Waxwing, but there are actually three species of waxwings around the world. You have the Cedar Waxwing, the one found across most of North America, the Bohemian Waxwing, a northern species found across northern Europe, Asia, and parts of North America, and you have the Japanese Waxwing, which can be found in East Asia. What's interesting is that even though there are differences in the looks of these birds, all three look pretty similar at a glance. The Bohemian Waxwing tends to stay farther north and only occasionally moves south in big winter movements. While the Japanese Waxwing is entirely across the Pacific in East Asia. So, in North America especially, when you see a group of sleek brown birds stripping berries from a tree, it's almost always Cedar Waxwings, but occasionally Bohemian Waxwings. Number two.

[00:01:05]They're great at sharing. Waxwings are very social birds, and they are almost always seen in groups. As a result, one of their most unique behaviors is food passing.

[00:01:15]Sometimes instead of immediately eating a berry, a bird may pass it to another Waxwing. And sometimes fruits may get passed multiple times before they're actually eaten. This is especially common during courtship with flocks that often feed together. Though the exact function of food passing is still not fully understood, and may include both courtship feeding and opportunistic sharing. It's believed that this improves pair bonding and social structure in flocks.

[00:01:40]Additionally, unlike many fruit-eating birds that crush seeds or regurgitate them, waxwings swallow fruit whole and pass the seeds straight through their digestive system intact, meaning they're extremely effective seed dispersers, helping to move plants across large distances.

[00:01:56]Number three.

[00:01:59]They sometimes get drunk. Cedar waxwings are highly specialized fruit eaters and can actually survive on fruit alone for months at a time. And their digestive system is specially adapted to handle this, although they will also sometimes eat insects.

[00:02:13]This high-fruit diet does come with a side effect. Cedar waxwings sometimes eat fruit at different stages of ripeness, including fermented berries.

[00:02:21]When fruit ferments, it produces alcohol naturally. Waxwings don't seem to reliably avoid it. So, in some situations, they can become disoriented after heavy feeding and actually get drunk, which can be quite a sight if it happens in your yard.

[00:02:36]And in cases where this does happen, it can make them more vulnerable to injury and predation. Number four.

[00:02:44]They're nomadic. Waxwings don't behave like typical migratory birds with strict north-south routes. Instead, they are nomadic and eruptive, with their movements based almost entirely on fruit availability. If an area has a strong berry crop, waxwings may suddenly appear in large numbers. When that food source is gone, they move on just as quickly.

[00:03:05]As a result, cedar waxwings may see huge fluctuations in local populations from year to year, with sudden invasions of flocks in some seasons or long absences in others.

[00:03:16]In my experience, cedar waxwings can be hard to track down. There are certain areas where I see them more often, but most of the time seeing them isn't a guarantee.

[00:03:24]If you see them in your backyard sometimes, but not others, this is probably because of their nomadic nature and them following fruit.

[00:03:32]Number five.

[00:03:35]Their wing tips are waxy. Cedar waxwings are named for the red, waxy-looking tips on their wing feathers, which are actually pigment-rich, wax-like extensions on the feather shafts formed during feather growth. So, they're not literal wax, but they are waxy-looking.

[00:03:52]These spots vary in number and intensity between individuals and may signal age and condition, although their exact purpose is still debated. Interestingly enough, as a waxwing gets older, they normally have more red markings that are also larger. Pairs of birds that are older and have more of this waxy-looking substance on their wingtips nest earlier and raise more young than pairs that have less. Though this relationship is not fully confirmed and may involve multiple factors.

[00:04:19]So there you have it. Those are five things you may not have known about cedar waxwings. Let me know your favorite in the comments below. Make sure to like and subscribe if you enjoyed this video. We also have an email list that you can sign up for us so you never miss an update from us.

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[00:04:34]We'll see you next time on Badgerland Birding.