Back to Field Guide
Cedar Waxwing
Bombycilla cedrorum
Audubon Illustration
John James Audubon, Birds of America (1827-1838). Public domain.
Range & Recent Observations
Last Spotted Near You
About the Cedar Waxwing
The cedar waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) is a member of the family Bombycillidae or waxwing family of passerine birds. It is a medium-sized bird that is mainly brown, gray, and yellow. Some of the wing feathers have red tips, which resemble sealing wax, giving the bird its common name. It is a native of North and Central America, breeding in open wooded areas in southern Canada and wintering in the southern half of the United States, Central America, and the far northwest of South America. Its diet includes cedar cones, fruit, holly berries, and insects. The cedar waxwing is listed as least concern on the IUCN Red List.
Source: Wikipedia
Classification
- Scientific name
- Bombycilla cedrorum
- Family
- Waxwings
- Order
- Passeriformes
Similar species
Other members of the waxwings family recorded in North America — a useful place to start if you are not certain of your identification.
Know when the Cedar Waxwing turns up near you
How rare bird alerts work →Gear for spotting Cedar Waxwing
Optics
Best Binoculars for Beginners
You don't need to spend a fortune. These four pairs will get you birding confidently on day one.
8 min readRead guide
Cameras
Cameras for Bird Photography
From phone adapters to dedicated rigs, here's what actually works for capturing birds in the field.
12 min readRead guide