Cedar Waxwing

LC - Least Concern

N5 - Secure

SNRB, SNRN - Unranked Breeding, Unranked Nonbreeding

not listed

Cedar Waxwing is a sleek, medium-sized bird. It is 6″ to 7¼″ long, weighs about 1.1 ounce., and has a wingspan of about 12″. It is a year-round resident of Minnesota.

The body is grayish-brown with a yellowish wash on the breast and belly.

The wings are pointed, grayish-brown, and have a white inner edge. There are waxy, bright red "drops" at the tips of the secondary wing feathers. The wing tips—the tips of the primary feathers—are dark and do not have any bold markings.

The tail is gray, square, somewhat short, and tipped with a bright yellow band. The undertail coverts are white.

The neck is short, the head is large, and the bill is short and wide. The head and neck are cinnamon brown. The chin is black and there is a narrow black mask outlined in white. There is a crest that droops over the back of the head.

Males and females are mostly alike, but the male has a darker chin.

6″ to 7¼″ in length

12″ wingspan

A clear, high-pitched whistle, not ascending or descending in pitch, repeated one to four times; a high-pithed trilled whistle, repeated one to four times.

Forest edges, open woodlands, riparian forests, urban parksForest edges, open woodlands, riparian forests, urban parks

The Breeding season is June through August, usually one brood in the spring and a second brood in the summer.

The female builds the first nest in about five days by weaving together twigs, grasses, moss, and lichens, then lining the interior with soft grasses. The finished nest is cup shaped, about 5″ in diameter, and about 3″ high. The female lays 2 to 6 (usually 4 or 5) eggs which hatch after 11 to 13 days. The hatchlings stay in the nest 14 to 18 days.

Mostly fruits; in the summer also eats flying insects.

Common to abundant migrant and breeder

The Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union All Seasons Species Occurrence Map

Pretty Cedar Waxwings are regular visitors to the pond.

There are typically 4 of them at a time. This was taken from the house probably through the glass patio door.

They are the fastest bathers of all the birds it seems and it’s a real challenge to get a focused picture. If I’m outside, I usually hear them before I see them. They are quite vocal but only soft squeaky chirps.

Here is a Cedar Waxwing feeding on Splendid Crab apples.

Location: Eden Prairie, MN

I saw a flock of about 20 Cedar Waxwings in a crab apple tree on the west side of Mitchell lake, Eden Prairie today. They were having a wonderful feast, and were very docile, curious and chirpy.

Location: Washington County

Location: Maple Grove, MN

Pretty Cedar Waxwings are regular visitors to the pond. There are typically 4 of them at a time. This was taken from the house probably through the glass patio door.

They are the fastest bathers of all the birds it seems and it’s a real challenge to get a focused picture. If I’m outside, I usually hear them before I see them. They are quite vocal but only soft squeaky chirps.

Location: Marine on Saint Croix

lived here 30 years, first sighting.

Location: St. Cloud, MN

saw them eating insects from a boxelder tree in my back yard. At least 6 -10 of them

Location: Cottage Grove

Drank from 3 different fountains in backyard.

Location: Edenbrook Conservation Area

Location: Pennington Co.

Here is a Cedar Waxwing feeding on Splendid Crab apples.