do cedar waxwings visit feeders

How to Attract Cedar Waxwings: 3 Secrets to Lure Them In

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Want to attract cedar waxwings to your yard? This bird is a masked bandit beauty sure to steal your heart so, of course, you want to invite them to your yard! Stick around and you’ll learn three secrets to lure them closer.

I researched books, online, and on YouTube to discover the best way to attract cedar waxwings and learned so much more.

Here are the 3 ways to attract cedar waxwings to your yard:

Plant fruit-bearing trees and shrubs
Have water available
Offer food they prefer in your feeder

Before I delve into the detail of the three above tactics for making your yard enticing to cedar waxwings, I’d like to share other information about this unique bird such as where they live, what they look like, their habitat, sounds, diet, mating, and nesting habits.

Where Cedar Waxwings are Found

US map showing the migration range of the cedar waxwing

Cedar waxwings can be found all across North America. Since cedar waxwings are migrators, their specific location depends on the time of year.

Some cedar waxwings live year-round in the northern part of the US and the southern part of Canada all the way from the west to the east coast.
Some cedar waxwings migrate north to upper Canada to breed.
Other cedar waxwings migrate to the southern US states and Mexico for winter and return north around the May-June timeframe.

What do Cedar Waxwings Look Like?

Hide your valuables the masked bandit – known as the cedar waxwing – is nearby! Probably the most identifiable attribute of this handsome bird is the black mask around its eyes followed by the yellow-tipped tail.

The cedar waxwing is about 7 1/4″ long, about the size of a bluebird.

It gets its name from a fruit-bearing tree it favors (cedar) and the red waxy substance produced at the tips of its secondary wings (waxwing). As of this writing, there is no known purpose for this waxy substance.

The cedar waxwing is a sleek-looking bird, primarily light brown with a silky crest of the same color, a yellow belly, a bright yellow tip on the tail, varying shades of brown underneath, and a touch of red at the tip of the upper wings. The beak is black, short, and pointy.

Male and female adults look pretty much the same with one very subtle difference – the black on the male’s chin encompasses a slightly larger area than the female’s. (Finally! A female bird as good-looking as the male!)

Juveniles look similar except the face and belly have more white, and the belly is striped.

The cedar waxwing has a unique movie-star appearance and is unlikely to be confused with another bird.

Even its close relative, the Bohemian Waxwing, is distinctly gray vs. brown, so you won’t mistake one for the other.

Bohemian waxwings look a lot like cedar waxwings

Where do Cedar Waxwings Live?

These birds are commonly found in open forested areas, orchards, and even wooded residential areas. They’re very social birds generally seen in flocks of dozens to over a hundred.

You’ll soon learn that cedar waxwings’ diet is almost exclusively fruit – so it only makes sense they make their homes in and around fruit-bearing trees and shrubs. Here are some of their favorite fruit-bearing trees & shrubs:

Red Cedar (namesake)
Serviceberry
Mountain Ash

Once they’ve picked an area clean of berries, cherries, and apples they’ll move on to the next tasty spot. For this reason, if you happen to have them visit your feeder they are unlikely to stay long.

Cedar waxwings are also fond of riverbank passageways so you will commonly spot them there.

What do Cedar Waxwings Eat?

Cedar waxwings are frugivores. Meaning, they thrive mostly on fruits. Fruit is part of their lifestyle – even involved in their mating ritual (more on that later).

When the search for berry-producing trees and shrubs is not fruitful (pun intended) they’ll turn to insects to supplement their diet.

Why do Cedar Waxwings get drunk?

Cedar waxwings can get drunk consuming fermented berries

You might ask how a bird that eats so much fruit, some fermented, avoids getting drunk. The answer is, sometimes they don’t! There have been sightings of tipsy cedar waxwings staggering around or lying under a berry bush to “sleep it off”.

What do Cedar Waxwings Sound Like?

Cedar waxwings are considered “songbirds” However because they’re not territorial, they don’t have a song.

Their call is strangely soft and high-pitched at the same time. Take a listen:

Mating, Nesting, Eggs & Fledgling

Cedar waxwings start breeding between June and August – after most songbirds have already hatched chicks. In fact, some of them begin mating as late as July-August in some parts of the country. Fruit ripening happens mid to late summer, the same time cedar waxwings are mating. A coincidence? I think not.

“Side hop” anyone? Cedar waxwings’ courtship starts when the male brings a gift of berry to the female and “passes” it to her. She then hops to the side, away from him, then hops back and passes the gift of food back to the male. This is repeated a number of times (exact number unknown) until the female decides to eat the gift!

It’s a real treat to behold if you’re lucky enough. Lucky for you I found this amazing video showing it in real-time.

When they’re expecting, the pair will construct their open-cup style nest 6-20′ high in a tree. It’s comprised of twigs, weed stems, and other plant material.

The female lays between 3-5 eggs at a time and incubation is performed by the female for 12-14 days. The eggs are blue-gray and often spotted with black or gray.

Both parents feed the babies.

Parents need to keep watch for blue jays and house wrens which have been known to kill their eggs and fledglings.

Cedar waxwing fledglings are ready to leave the nest around 14-18 days after hatching.

According to The National Wildlife Federation , cedar waxwings can fall prey to merlins, hawks, and common grackles are predators of adult cedar waxwings. And, they can sometimes fall victim to bullfrogs when they drink from ponds.

Three Secret Ways to Attract Cedar Waxwings to Your Yard

1. plant fruit-bearing trees and shrubs.

attract cedar waxwings with fruit bearing plants

Attract cedar waxwings by planting fruit trees and shrubs in and around your yard. After all, fruit is just about the only thing waxwings eat !

Here are some relatively common fruit-bearing plants you can try planting:

2. Have water available

Attract cedar waxwings with water. All birds need water to drink and bathe in. Cedar waxwings are no different. If a natural source of water is not available nearby consider installing a pond – even a small patio pond will lure them in.

A birdbath is another viable option. Just make sure it’s big enough for his friends!

Birds are drawn to moving water so adding a fountain to the birdbath could increase your chances of enticing one as well.

3. Offer food they prefer in your feeder

lure cedar waxwings by offering their favoriate food: fruits and berries

Do Cedar Waxwings visit the feeder?

Cedar Waxwings don’t ordinarily visit feeders. However, many backyard birders have had success inviting cedar waxwings to the feeder by offering dried fruit such as prunes, cranberries, raisins, apricots, and fruit & nut birdseed mix. Your best bet is to offer the food in an open feeder that enables them to perch comfortably while dining. Platform feeders are ideal for this purpose.

In late summer, when the fruit is becoming scarce, you can try putting out mealworms. Wiggly, live ones are sure to get their attention. Check out this video displaying an extreme example of enticing cedar waxwings to your feeder with mealworms!

I think you’ll agree handsome cedar waxwings are worth the effort to draw to your yard. Take and apply some of the tips I provided or if you’re really serious about attracting them to your yard – apply all of them! Good luck and happy birding!

Frequently Asked Questions

Are cedar waxwings rare.

The conservation status of cedar waxwing is low. Sightings of them are not rare. In fact, if you see one you see dozens and even hundreds as they are highly social and travel in flocks.

What is the scientific name for cedar waxwing?

The scientific name for the cedar waxwing is Bombycilla cedrorum.

What is the difference between a cedar waxwing and a Bohemian Waxwing?

The primary difference between cedar and bohemian waxwings is their coloring. Cedar waxwings are primarily light brown and yellow while Bohemian waxwings are primarily gray and peach. Cedar waxwings are also slightly smaller birds.

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How to Attract Cedar Waxwings (Food, Water & Nesting Needs)

Cedar Waxwings are beautiful birds known for their striking appearance and social nature. Attracting these elegant creatures to your yard can be a rewarding experience, as they bring beauty and life to your outdoor space. To successfully attract Cedar Waxwings, it’s essential to understand their dietary preferences, habitat requirements, and unique behaviors.

Providing a variety of food sources, including fruit-bearing trees and shrubs, is key to attracting Cedar Waxwings. These birds are also drawn to water sources, so having a birdbath or small pond in your yard can significantly increase their presence. Additionally, understanding Cedar Waxwing behavior and traits will help you create a suitable habitat where they can thrive and feel comfortable.

Key Takeaways

Provide a variety of food sources, like fruit-bearing trees and shrubs, to attract Cedar Waxwings
Offer water sources, such as birdbaths or small ponds, to enhance their attraction to your yard
Understand Cedar Waxwing behavior and traits to create a suitable habitat for these captivating birds.

Table of Contents

Attracting Cedar Waxwings: Essentials

Fruit sources.

Attracting cedar waxwings to your yard involves providing the right food sources. These birds have a strong preference for fruit. Therefore, planting fruit-bearing trees and shrubs like dogwood, serviceberry, cedar, juniper, hawthorn, or winterberry can significantly increase the chances of them visiting your yard 1 . You can also try placing a feeder with a variety of foods they like, such as grape jelly, applesauce, or suet cakes, which are good for providing protein 2 .

Water Sources

Besides food, having a water source available is crucial for attracting cedar waxwings 3 . Birds love water not only for drinking but also for preening and bathing. A birdbath or a small pond in your yard can be an excellent way to provide water. Make sure to keep them clean, well-maintained, and filled throughout the year, as cedar waxwings require a consistent water source.

Nesting Opportunities

Although providing food and water sources will help attract cedar waxwings, offering nesting opportunities will encourage them to stay longer in your yard. They generally prefer to nest in dense vegetation or deciduous trees. Providing suitable shrubs for nesting and maintaining your yard’s vegetation can create a welcoming environment for these beautiful birds. Keep in mind that cedar waxwings have a social nature, so creating a bird-friendly yard with multiple food sources and nesting locations will increase the likelihood of a flock choosing your yard as a regular stop.

Creating a Suitable Habitat

To attract cedar waxwings to your backyard, it’s essential to create a habitat that provides their basic needs such as food, nesting materials, and a safe environment. In this section, you’ll learn how to choose the right trees and shrubs, support insects in your yard, and maintain a safe environment for these beautiful birds.

Choose the Right Trees and Shrubs

One of the key factors in attracting cedar waxwings is planting trees and shrubs that produce their preferred food: berries . Some suitable options include dogwood , serviceberry , cedar , juniper, hawthorn, and winterberry. By providing a variety of fruit-bearing plants, you’ll increase the chances of luring cedar waxwings to your backyard.

Support Insects in Your Yard

Cedar waxwings also eat insects, which make up a significant portion of their diet. To support a healthy insect population in your yard, aim to create a diverse ecosystem with native plants and trees. This will attract a variety of insects and create a natural food source for cedar waxwings. Avoid using pesticides excessively, as they can harm beneficial insects and disrupt the delicate balance in your backyard habitat.

Maintaining a Safe Environment

Creating a safe environment helps cedar waxwings feel comfortable and secure in your backyard. Offer fresh, clean water by installing a birdbath or a water feature, as this will not only attract waxwings but also benefit the general health of your backyard ecosystem. Keep an eye on your yard, ensuring it’s free from predators such as cats, and take measures to make it as sheltered as possible. Provide nesting materials like twigs, grasses, and small branches for cedar waxwings to build their nests. This will encourage them to stay and breed in your yard, creating an even more vibrant and lively habitat for these stunning birds.

By following these guidelines and creating a suitable habitat for cedar waxwings, you can enjoy their beauty and benefit the overall biodiversity in your backyard.

Best Plants for Cedar Waxwings

Cedar Waxwings are attracted to a variety of fruit-bearing trees and shrubs that provide them with much-needed nourishment. In this section, we’ll explore some of the best plants to incorporate into your landscape to attract these beautiful birds.

Dogwood trees are a favorite of Cedar Waxwings due to their abundance of small berries. These berries not only provide a food source for the birds but also add a splash of color to your yard.

Hawthorn trees also provide Cedar Waxwings with a bountiful supply of fruit. The tree’s small red berries are a tasty treat for these birds, and hawthorn’s dense branches offer an ideal location for nesting.

Serviceberry

Serviceberry shrubs are another excellent choice for attracting Cedar Waxwings. Rich in berries, these deciduous plants offer a food source for the birds and boast beautiful white flowers in the spring.

Mountain Ash

Mountain Ash trees are a fantastic option for both their fruit and visual appeal. Their clusters of bright orange berries are a magnet for Cedar Waxwings, and their vibrant foliage adds an aesthetic touch to your garden.

Winterberry

Winterberry shrubs provide a striking contrast of red berries against a backdrop of dark green leaves. These berries are a favorite of Cedar Waxwings, making this plant a great addition to your yard for attracting these birds.

Elderberry plants are another must-have for attracting Cedar Waxwings. These shrubs offer clusters of dark purple berries that the birds find irresistible. Elderberries also benefit human health due to their high antioxidant content, making them a win-win for your garden.

Cherry trees are not only loved by humans but also by Cedar Waxwings. The birds are particularly fond of the fruit, giving you another reason to add this attractive and productive tree to your landscape.

While maples may not be an obvious choice for attracting Cedar Waxwings, the trees do offer nesting sites and some species produce small fruit-like seeds (samaras) that the birds may snack on. Incorporating a maple tree into your landscape can provide both beauty and benefits for the Cedar Waxwings.

Honeysuckle

Honeysuckle vines, with their sweet-smelling flowers and tempting berries, are another attractive option for Cedar Waxwings. Planting honeysuckle in your garden not only lures these birds but also provides you with a visually appealing and fragrant addition to your yard.

Cedar Waxwing Behavior and Traits

Diet and feeding habits.

Cedar Waxwings are unique songbirds known for their distinctive diet which primarily consists of various fruits. They are particularly fond of berries, such as raspberries, strawberries, and blackberries. However, they also consume sap, insects, and other small food items they can find in nature. These opportunistic feeders often fly out to catch insects in mid-air or hover while plucking berries from bushes and trees.

Physical Appearance

Boasting a crest atop the head, Cedar Waxwings express elegant plumage. With a mix of soft brown, gray, and yellow feathers, they have sleek and colorful appearances. A distinguishing feature of these birds is their black band across the eyes, resembling a small mask. Males and females look quite similar, but there may be slight variations in color intensity.

Courtship and Breeding

Cedar Waxwings exhibit unique courtship rituals. Pairs of male and female birds often pass a small object, typically a berry or an insect, back and forth to each other multiple times before consuming it. This action serves as a bonding experience and confirms their commitment to each other. Cedar Waxwings usually nest in trees, laying 3-5 pale gray to bluish-gray eggs, which are finely spotted with brown and black.

Migration Patterns

As migratory birds, Cedar Waxwings are known to travel seasonally. Their migration patterns depend on the availability of food sources, particularly fruit, in different locations. Generally, they head toward the northern parts of North America during the breeding season, but may wander widely in search of abundant fruit sources. Cedar Waxwings are versatile and adaptable, capable of thriving in various habitats such as forests, gardens, and urban areas.

Enhancing Waxwing Attraction

Cedar waxwings are beautiful, social birds known for their black masks and vibrant tail colors. Attracting these elegant creatures to your yard can provide a picturesque birdwatching experience. In this section, we’ll discuss various strategies for enhancing waxwing attraction through supplemental feeders, birdbaths, and supporting nesting habits.

Supplemental Feeders

Cedar waxwings primarily feed on small fruits from trees like junipers, elderberry, mulberry, and crabapple. They also enjoy raspberries, strawberries, and the fruits of deciduous berry bushes such as honeysuckle . Planting a variety of fruit-bearing flora will encourage waxwings to visit, especially during winter months when the birds migrate south through Canada and other parts of North America.

In addition to providing natural food sources, consider using supplemental feeders that accommodate the cedar waxwing’s diet. Suet feeders can ensure waxwings receive the necessary protein in their diet. Another option is offering grape jelly or applesauce in a feeder to attract flocks of waxwings.

Water plays an essential role in the lives of cedar waxwings. Providing a clean, shallow birdbath ensures a consistent water source for the birds to drink and bathe. Cedar waxwings are social birds and tend to visit birdbaths in small groups. Change the water in the birdbath frequently to maintain cleanliness and prevent ants from becoming a problem.

Monitoring and Supporting Nesting Habits

Cedar waxwings typically build their nests in open woodland areas, parks, and gardens with easy access to small fruits. During the summer months, usually in June, these nomadic birds start breeding and begin constructing their nests. The size of a cedar waxwing nest can range from small to medium, and it may be built in vineyards or fruiting trees.

To encourage nesting in your yard, try providing nesting material such as small twigs and grasses. Watch for signs of nesting activity from a safe distance, and do not disturb the birds to ensure they continue to feel welcome in your yard. While nesting cedar waxwings can be considered rare , creating a supportive environment may encourage them to stay and trust your yard as their home.

By applying these strategies, monitoring your yard, and avoiding exaggerated or false claims, you can enhance cedar waxwing attraction and enjoy their beautiful presence. Don’t forget to respect these elegant visitors and admire their unique appearance, as they provide a delightful addition to your yard’s natural ecosystem.

Frequently Asked Questions

What plants provide the best food for cedar waxwings.

Cedar Waxwings primarily feed on fruits and berries. To attract them, consider planting fruit-bearing trees and shrubs such as serviceberry, dogwood, hawthorn, elderberry, and viburnum. Additionally, strawberry plants can be an excellent choice as their flowers attract butterflies and the berries draw in waxwings and other fruit-loving birds [source( https://www.birdsandblooms.com/birding/attracting-birds/attract-waxwings-berries/ )].

Which bird feeders are most suited for attracting Cedar Waxwings?

Cedar Waxwings are not typical feeder birds; however, they might be attracted to platform feeders that offer their preferred food items, such as chopped fruits or mealworms if natural resources are scarce. Remember, providing fruit-bearing trees and shrubs in your yard is the most effective way to attract these birds [source( https://www.onthefeeder.com/attract-cedar-waxwings/ )].

How can I create the ideal habitat for Cedar Waxwings in my yard?

To create an inviting habitat for Cedar Waxwings, incorporate a mix of fruit-producing plants, water sources, and nesting materials. Providing a forest edge can also help attract them as they prefer transitional areas between open fields and wooded landscapes [source( https://birdsphere.com/attract-cedar-waxwings/ )].

What time of year are Cedar Waxwings most active?

Cedar Waxwings can be seen throughout the year. However, they are more active during their breeding season, which typically falls between March and August, depending on the location. During this time, their fruit consumption increases, making it an excellent opportunity to attract them to your yard [source( https://www.onthefeeder.com/attract-cedar-waxwings/ )].

Do Cedar Waxwings prefer specific types of berries?

Cedar Waxwings are not particularly picky about the type of berries they consume. They enjoy a variety of fruits and berries, including those from trees and shrubs like hawthorn, dogwood, serviceberry, and elderberry. Planting a diverse selection of fruit-producing plants can increase the chances of attracting Cedar Waxwings to your yard [source( https://www.exploringbirds.com/posts/how-to-attract-cedar-waxwing )].

What are the primary factors that draw Cedar Waxwings to an area?

The primary factors attracting Cedar Waxwings include the presence of fruit-producing trees and shrubs, water sources such as birdbaths or fountains, and available nesting materials. Cedar Waxwings are fruit and berry specialists, so providing a diverse selection of their preferred food sources is crucial for luring them to your yard [source( https://learnbirdwatching.com/how-to-attract-cedar-waxwings-to-your-yard/ )].

The Ultimate Guide to Attracting Cedar Waxwings to Your Yard

Want to liven up your yard with some feathered friends? Well, today’s all about the Cedar Waxwings – those charming birds with stylish looks! I’ve got some simple tricks up my sleeve to make them feel right at home in our yard. So, grab a seat, and let’s turn our outdoor space into a buzzing hotspot for these delightful creatures!

Table of Contents

0.1 Key Takeaways:
1.1 Providing the Right Food Sources
1.2 Creating a Welcoming Habitat
1.3 Timing Your Attractants
1.4 Patience and Persistence
2.1 Discovering the Allure of Cedar Waxwings: A Birdwatcher’s Delight
2.2 Identifying the Distinctive Cedar Waxwing
2.3 Creating a Waxwing-Friendly Habitat
2.4 Providing a Reliable Food Source
2.5 Observing the Captivating Behaviors of Cedar Waxwings
2.6 Timing Your Waxwing Encounters
2.7 Capturing the Beauty of Cedar Waxwings
2.8 Appreciating the Cedar Waxwing’s Role in the Ecosystem
3 Conclusion

Key Takeaways:

Provide a variety of native fruits, such as berries and cherries, to attract Cedar Waxwings.
Create a welcoming habitat with suitable trees and shrubs for nesting and roosting.
Install a birdbath or shallow dish for water, as Cedar Waxwings are attracted to both food and water sources.
Minimize pesticide use in your yard to maintain a healthy environment for Cedar Waxwings and their food sources.
Regularly maintain and clean your bird feeders and water sources to ensure they remain attractive to Cedar Waxwings.

A Cedar Waxwing perched on a platform feeder eating cherries.

Bringing Cedar Waxwings to Your Yard: Proven Strategies and Attractants

The arrival of cedar waxwings in your yard can be a delightful sight, as these beautiful birds with their distinctive crest and vibrant plumage bring a touch of natural beauty to your outdoor space. Attracting these charming visitors, however, requires a strategic approach. In this article, we’ll explore proven strategies and effective attractants to invite cedar waxwings to take up residence in your yard.

Providing the Right Food Sources

One of the most effective ways to attract cedar waxwings is by offering them their preferred food sources. These birds are particularly fond of berries, and planting berry-producing shrubs and trees can be a game-changer. Some excellent choices include:

Junipers: These evergreen shrubs produce clusters of small, blue-green berries that cedar waxwings adore.
Crabapple trees: The small, tart apples that crabapple trees produce are a favorite of these birds.
Serviceberry bushes: Also known as Juneberry, these shrubs offer a bounty of sweet, purple-black berries.
Hawthorn trees: The bright red berries of hawthorn trees are irresistible to cedar waxwings.

In addition to these natural food sources, you can also offer supplementary feeders filled with fresh, high-quality berries or even grape jelly. While Cedar Waxwings are social birds and may be attracted to feeders, they are not as reliant on them as some other bird species.

Providing a platform feeder with chopped fruits like apples or berries can also help increase your chances of attracting these beautiful birds to your yard. Placing multiple feeders around your yard will further enhance the chances of attracting a flock.

Creating a Welcoming Habitat

Aside from providing food, creating a welcoming habitat is crucial for enticing cedar waxwings to your yard. These birds prefer areas with a mix of dense vegetation and open spaces, as this allows them to perch and take flight with ease.

Consider planting a variety of native trees and shrubs that offer both cover and access to the sky. Evergreens like junipers, as mentioned earlier, can provide year-round shelter, while deciduous trees like maples and elms offer dappled shade and perching spots.

Incorporate water sources, such as a birdbath or a small, shallow pond, as cedar waxwings are drawn to areas with a reliable water supply. Be sure to keep the water clean and regularly refreshed to maintain its appeal.

Timing Your Attractants

Understanding the seasonal movements of cedar waxwings can also help you time your attractants effectively. These birds are migratory, with their peak activity periods varying depending on your geographic location.

In many regions, cedar waxwings are most abundant during the spring and fall, as they pass through on their way to and from their breeding grounds. Pay attention to the arrival and departure of these birds in your area, and adjust your efforts accordingly.

For example, you might want to have your berry-producing plants and feeders ready before the birds arrive in the spring, ensuring a steady food source as they make their way north. Similarly, maintaining your attractants throughout the fall can help retain a flock of cedar waxwings in your yard during their southward migration.

Patience and Persistence

Attracting cedar waxwings to your yard may not happen overnight, as these birds can be somewhat unpredictable in their movements and preferences. Be patient and persistent in your efforts, as it may take time for the birds to discover and become accustomed to your yard.

Regularly monitoring your attractants and making adjustments as needed can help increase your chances of success. Additionally, sharing your experiences and insights with other bird enthusiasts can provide valuable tips and inspiration.

By following these proven strategies and incorporating the right attractants, you can transform your yard into a haven for the captivating cedar waxwing, bringing the beauty and grace of these remarkable birds right to your doorstep.

Identifying and Observing Cedar Waxwings: A Birdwatcher’s Guide

Discovering the allure of cedar waxwings: a birdwatcher’s delight.

Cedar waxwings, with their striking plumage and graceful movements, have captivated the hearts of birdwatchers for generations. These vibrant, social birds are a true delight to observe in their natural habitats, and with a bit of knowledge and patience, you can attract them to your own backyard.

Identifying the Distinctive Cedar Waxwing

The cedar waxwing is easily recognizable by its sleek, cinnamon-colored body, black mask, and distinctive crest. Their wings feature a bold yellow band, and their tails are often tipped in bright yellow as well. These birds are known for their fondness for berries and fruits, which they consume with an elegant, almost delicate manner.

Creating a Waxwing-Friendly Habitat

To attract cedar waxwings to your yard, it’s essential to provide the right environment. These birds thrive in areas with a diverse array of berry-producing plants, such as juniper, cedar, hawthorn, and serviceberry bushes. Planting these native species not only creates an inviting habitat but also supports the local ecosystem.

Providing a Reliable Food Source

In addition to the natural berries, you can supplement the waxwings’ diet by offering a variety of fruits. Hang ripe bananas, grapes, or even suet cakes in your yard to entice these feathered visitors. Additionally, consider placing a platform feeder with chopped fruits like apples or berries to provide an alternative feeding option for Cedar Waxwings. Remember to keep the feeders clean and well-stocked to ensure a consistent food source.

Observing the Captivating Behaviors of Cedar Waxwings

Once you’ve established an attractive environment, sit back and watch the cedar waxwings in action. These birds are known for their fascinating social behaviors, often forming large flocks that move in a synchronized, undulating flight pattern. Observe as they perch delicately on branches, gently plucking berries and passing them to one another in a display of cooperation.

Timing Your Waxwing Encounters

Cedar waxwings are typically most active during the spring and fall months, when they are migrating to and from their breeding grounds. Keep a sharp eye out during these seasons, as the flocks may stop to refuel in your yard. In some regions, you may even be able to spot them throughout the year, depending on the availability of their preferred food sources.

Capturing the Beauty of Cedar Waxwings

For the avid birdwatcher, photographing cedar waxwings can be a rewarding challenge. Their vibrant colors and elegant movements make them a photogenic subject. Be patient, use a telephoto lens, and try to capture them in natural settings, such as perched on a berry-laden branch or in flight.

Appreciating the Cedar Waxwing’s Role in the Ecosystem

Beyond their aesthetic appeal, cedar waxwings play an important role in the natural world. As they consume berries and fruits, they help disperse the seeds, aiding in the regeneration of the local plant life. By providing a habitat and food source for these remarkable birds, you’re not only enhancing your own backyard experience but also contributing to the overall health of the ecosystem.

Discovering the allure of cedar waxwings is a true delight for birdwatchers of all skill levels. By creating a welcoming environment and understanding their behaviors, you can invite these captivating creatures to your own backyard, where you can observe their beauty and appreciate their ecological significance. So, grab your binoculars, keep an eye out for those vibrant feathers, and enjoy the enchanting presence of the cedar waxwing.

A Cedar Waxwing perched on a bird bath drinking water.

Attracting the stunning and charismatic cedar waxwing to your backyard is a rewarding endeavor that can transform your outdoor space into a vibrant avian haven. By understanding their dietary preferences and providing the right mix of natural food sources, you can create an inviting environment that will entice these elegant birds to visit and even make your yard their seasonal home.

The key to successfully drawing in cedar waxwings lies in strategically selecting and cultivating the plants and trees that offer their preferred berries and fruits. Native shrubs like serviceberry, juniper, and viburnum are excellent choices, as they provide a reliable and abundant food supply throughout the seasons when these birds are most active. Supplementing your landscape with other berry-producing plants, such as pyracantha, holly, and Virginia creeper, can further enhance the allure and ensure a continuous source of sustenance.

In addition to the right vegetation, offering a reliable source of fresh water is also crucial. Birdbaths, shallow dish fountains, or even a gently moving stream can provide the hydration cedar waxwings require, especially during the drier months. Keeping these water features clean and free of debris will make them all the more appealing to these discerning visitors.

Observing the behaviors and patterns of cedar waxwings can be a captivating experience for any birdwatcher. These social and gregarious birds often travel in large flocks, making their presence known with their distinctive trilling calls and graceful, synchronized movements. Identifying them by their striking plumage, which features a sleek crest, velvety-brown back, and distinctive yellow-tipped tail feathers, can be a rewarding challenge.

Learning to recognize the cedar waxwing’s unique feeding habits can also enhance your ability to spot them in your yard. These birds are known for their elegant “waxwing” technique, where they delicately pluck berries and fruits from the tips of branches, often in a coordinated dance with their flockmates. Keeping a close eye on your berry-laden plants can increase the chances of witnessing this mesmerizing behavior.

Attracting cedar waxwings to your outdoor space requires patience and a deep appreciation for these remarkable birds. By incorporating the right mix of native plants, providing a reliable water source, and understanding their behaviors, you can transform your yard into a haven that these feathered visitors will eagerly seek out, year after year. The joy of observing their graceful movements and listening to their enchanting calls will undoubtedly enrich your birdwatching experience and deepen your connection to the natural world around you.

In the end, the effort invested in creating a cedar waxwing-friendly environment pays dividends in the form of a vibrant and dynamic backyard ecosystem, where these stunning birds can thrive and bring a touch of natural wonder to your daily life. So embrace the challenge, unleash your creativity, and let your yard become a sanctuary that attracts these avian gems, transforming your outdoor space into a true haven for both you and the wondrous cedar waxwings.

Meet Vince, the passionate founder and author of Learn Bird Watching, boasting 30 years of birding experience. With an unwavering mission to empower fellow bird enthusiasts, Vince shares invaluable wisdom and guidance. As a dedicated moderator and contributor to Quora's Bird Watchers' Club, he actively engages with the birding community, where his insightful answers have garnered over 440,000 views and over 2,670 upvotes. Whether you're a budding birder or a seasoned avian aficionado, his wealth of knowledge is at your service.

How to Attract Cedar Waxwings to Your Backyard

Cedar waxwings are a favorite of birdwatchers across North and Central America.

They fly in flocks as berries mature to provide homeowners with a visual delight.

They aren’t great singers (their call is closer to a whistle than to a song), but they are beautiful birds that repay your hospitality by eating insects and addling color around berry bushes.

To attract cedar waxwings, it helps to know cedar waxwings, so this article will have two parts.

First we will tell you everything you need to know about cedar waxwings to keep them happy in your backyard.

Then we will give you a step-by-step program for making cedar waxwings part of your landscape.

Table of Contents

Get to Know Cedar Waxwings

Most birdwatchers won’t have any trouble recognizing cedar waxwings.

Over most of their bodies, they have silky feathers of brown, gray, and lemon yellow, with drops of red on their wings.

Their tail feathers can be brown or orange, depending on how many berries they eat. Honeysuckle berries will give them orange tail feathers. The tail is short and squared off.

A waxwing’s crest looks something like a mullet. It naturally lies flat so it droops over the back of the waxwing’s head.

Adult cedar waxwings have black masks with thin white borders; younger birds don’t have the mask.

Cedar waxwings fly like they know where they are going.

Their flight patterns are strong and direct. When they are migrating, they fly at a speed of 25 mph (40 kph) at an altitude of about 2,000 feet (600 meters).

The good news for birdwatchers is that once you have made one cedar waxwing happy, you may get a whole flock.

Cedar waxwings are non-competitive birds that like to travel in large numbers. They don’t fight over territory. They will even groom each other.

Cedar waxwings will greet each other by rubbing their breasts against each other, and feed each other berries and grapes.

Cedar waxwings “ask for a date” with a hopping dance. The male will hop toward a female. If she is interested, she will hop back.

During courtship, the male will bring the female flower petals, offer them and pull them back until eventually the female eats them.

A really serious male suitor may offer a female cedar waxwing a bug.

Some important distinctions from other birds

If you are new to birdwatching , it helps to know that cedar waxwings communicate anxiety with their crest feathers.

Their crests will stand up when they are alarmed, and droop down when they are relaxed. The crests of blue jays and cardinals will stand up all the time.

Molting robins look a lot like cedar waxwings. You can easily tell the difference by their sounds.

Cedar waxwings will make a short, high-pitched, thin whistle that sounds like see or sree that is just a half-second long. A robin’s call is deeper, lower, and sounds more like a rattle.

Backyard visitor or permanent resident?

Location is everything in attracting cedar waxwings to your backyard landscape. Cedar waxwings can be migratory birds, but there are locations they make their permanent home.

These birds breed and raise their young in Canada, almost as far north as Labrador and Hudson Bay.

They can be found year-round across the northern half of the United States and southern Ontario, but they may seek winter shelter anywhere in the southern half of the United States south to Central America.

Cedar waxwings like to live at the edge of open forests. They prefer to locate near berry bushes, but not near dense underbrush. They will always seek a reliable source of fresh water.

In urban areas, cedar waxwings like parks and backyards with well-spaced trees and berry bushes between them. They are attracted to the sound of running water, like a bubbling fountain or a recirculating stream.

Cedar waxwings are attracted to these features any time of year. If you live in the northern half of the United States and you want to keep them in your yard year-round, then you need to provide your cedar waxwings with them year-round.

What cedar waxwings eat

Cedar waxwings are voracious eaters. They get their name from the fact that they eat cedar berries. Cedar berries are not, however, their only food.

Cedar waxwings eat insects and a variety of plant foods, although they prefer berries of all kinds. They prefer berries with a high sugar content. If a berry is sweet enough that you would like it, chances are that cedar waxwings would like it, too.

In the summer, cedar waxwings catch and eat flying insects. While they prefer to catch insects in mid-flight, they will forage bugs on the ground to take to their young as high-energy food. However, even young cedar waxwings like berries.

Cedar waxwing nesting habits

Cedar waxwings are like goldfinches in that they are oblivious to mating and nesting until all the other birds have laid their eggs, raised their young, and moved on.

They won’t even look for a nesting site until July, and they may not build a nest before August.

Because cedar waxwings feed their hatchlings high-fat, energy-packed beetles, they like to build their nests in second-growth forests.

Decaying logs that host grubs and beetles form a hunting ground for them. They eat adult beetles that are capable of flight, rather than the grub.

The adults still need berries for themselves, so they will look for a combination of widely spaced trees for shelter, berry-bearing plants to feed the adults, and a supply of insects for their young.

Cedar waxwings will use bird houses when they can’t find a suitable location in trees. They build their nests at least 6 feet (2 meters) above ground level and frequently 20 feet (6 meters) up a tree, sometimes higher.

Cedar waxwing nests are loosely constructed of grass and twigs. Ornithologists estimate it can take the cock and hen 2,500 round trips to the nesting site to gather enough materials to build a nest.

You can encourage them to nest in your backyard by providing them with soft nesting materials. (We’ll have more on that later.) The female may scavenge materials from abandoned nests of other birds to save time.

A cedar waxwing nest is round and usually 5 or 6 inches (12 to 16 cm) across. The female lays five or six eggs.

The eggs are oval with a smooth surface and not a lot of gloss. Cedar waxwing eggs are blue or blue-gray with brown or grayish-brown spots.

The hen incubates the eggs for 11 to 13 days, and young cedar waxwings leave the nest 14 to 18 days after they hatch.

Both parents take care of their young. Cedar waxwings usually raise two broods every year.

Attracting Cedar Waxwings, Step by Step

If you have trees, berries, and water, you can provide a home for cedar waxwings. Here’s how to start.

Create a forest edge

Cedar waxwings like to live at the edge of a forest, not deep in a forest.

If you have woods behind or in your backyard, remove enough trees that you have an unobstructed line of sight to the edge of the woods.

But don’t cut down adlers, dogwoods, maples, or cedar trees, where cedar waxwings prefer to roost and nest.

If you live in the cedar waxwing’s summer range, put up a birdhouse

There is no better way to ensure constant viewing of cedar waxwings than to provide them with their nesting site — at least for a couple of months in late summer and early fall, if you live in their breeding range Canada up to the sixtieth parallel or in the northern United States.

To accommodate a nest that is 5 or 6 inches (12 to 16 cm) across, your birdhouse will need to have a floor of about 8 inches by 8 inches (20 cm by 20 cm).

Cedar waxwings are medium-sized birds, so they can enter and exit through a half-inch (15 mm) round hole, preferably about 10 inches (25 cm) above the base of the bird house.

Your cedar waxwing bird house should be about 14 inches (35 cm) tall. A hinged roof makes observation and cleaning easier.

If you mount your birdhouse on a platform, it’s OK for it to be just 6 feet (about 2 meters) above the ground.

Put a baffle on the pole holding up the birdhouse to deter squirrels and snakes. Place the birdhouse where it won’t be stalked by cats or wild animals waiting for a baby bird to fall out.

Keep in mind that your cedar waxwings will need food for themselves and their babies while they are in their birdhouse.

The birdhouse needs to be placed near bushes or fruit trees that will be bearing mature fruit while the birds are living there.

Don’t be surprised if cedar waxwings choose to build their nests in nearby trees even if you build them a birdhouse.

Because cedar waxwings also feed on tree sap and insects that live in trees, they may prefer a more natural setting.

Put out the materials cedar waxwings can use to build their nests

Cedar waxwings will make quick use of hair, wool, cotton balls, yarn, screen, or bits and pieces of soft cloth to line their nests.

You can offer these materials from the fork of a tree or a suet feeder (without the suet).

Feeding your cedar waxwings

Sometimes hundreds of waxwings will descend on a single berry-bearing bush or fruit tree with ripe fruit in late summer or fall.

You can spend hours watching them pass berries to each other and tossing fruit up in the air to see which bird will catch it.

If your objective is to see hundreds of cedar waxwings at once, you will need a berry patch or orchard you don’t harvest and a lot of patience, since there’s no way to know when a nomadic flock of cedar waxwings will arrive to feast on your fruit and berries.

But if your objective is to attract a mating pair or a small number of cedar waxwings to your property, you can attract them by planting the bushes and trees that produce their favorite foods.

Cedar trees make a great hedgerow. Plant them in a zigzag pattern rather than in a straight line to attract more cedar waxwings.

Cherry trees will be more productive if you plant them where they will receive full sun. They should be about 12 feet (4 meters) from the edge of a wooded area to attract a maximum number of cedar waxwings.

Chokecherries will grow in almost any kind of soil, but they don’t like wet roots.

Cotoneasters will grow in partial shade, but they need steady moisture.

Dogwoods are a good choice if you can’t avoid planting in shade. They are a beautiful understory plant that is stressed by full sun.

European mountain ash , which are related to roses, peaches, and stone fruits, produce a plethora of red berries in the summer that remain on the tree even when the leaves fall in the fall. They need to grow in full sun.

Grape vines grow into existing trees. You don’t need to plant them as if you were starting a vineyard, although cedar waxwings will gather at vineyards, too.

Hackberry trees will feed a variety of wildlife, not just cedar waxwings. If unchecked, they can become invasive.

Junipers are a good choice if you have dry, shallow, or rocky soil.

You can plant mistletoe on apple trees. Be aware that they will sap moisture and nutrients from their host tree.

Privet hedges grow tall fast. They are a great place for cedar waxwings to nest.

Pyracantha are a great source of nutrition for cedar waxwings in the winter. They grow best in full sun but will grow as an understory plant.

Strawberries are a favorite food of waxwings. You can always just leave the bird netting off a bed you don’t need for personal production.

Yews will grow in shade. They provide both food and shelter for cedar waxwings.

You will get the best results by providing cedar waxwings with both food and shelter plants. Plant near and along the edges of a wooded area.

It’s fine to offer cedar waxwings a fresh fruit buffet from a platform feeder in the summer.

They will enjoy the same fruits and berries that humans do. Don’t feed cedar waxwings store-bought fruit in the fall unless you plan to feed them throughout the winter. Don’t discourage migration.

Water for Cedar Waxwings

All birds need water, but cedar waxwings are attracted to the sound of running water.

A bird bath that makes sounds that can be heard from 10 feet (3 meters) away is optimal for attracting these birds.

Heating your bird bath is an inducement or cedar waxwings to stay with you throughout the winter.

How to Attract Waxwings to Your Backyard with a Cedar Waxwing Habitat Garden

Learn how to attract waxwings to your yard with native plants and these easy wildlife gardening tips!

Waxwings are social birds that are well-known for their fruit eating habits and their brightly colored feathers. Native to North America, waxwing birds are always a treat to see and they’re especially handy in gardens where they feed on pest insects; however, waxwings tend to be more hesitant about visiting backyard feeders than finches and hummingbirds . If you’d like to entice a Bohemian or cedar waxwing flock to visit your garden, you’ll learn everything you need to create a waxwing habitat right here!

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.

Where Do Waxwings Live?

There are only three species of waxwings in the world: Japanese waxwings (which are only found in Asia), Bohemian waxwings and cedar waxwings. Cedar waxwings and Bohemian waxwings can be spotted throughout North America, although the bohemian waxwing range is much more limited than the cedar waxwing range. For the most part, Bohemian waxwings are most common along the Canadian border and in the Northwest, while cedar waxwings are year-round resident birds in the northern half of the United States and winter residents in the southern states and Central America.

Unlike many backyard birds, waxwings are quite nomadic and they can be hard for even seasoned birders to track down. These fruit-eating birds frequent areas where fruit and berry-producing plants are prevalent and they may be sighted in orchards. However, most of the time, you’ll just see a flock of cedar waxwings passing through… so you’ll want to have your binoculars ready!

How to Make a Waxwing Habitat Garden

Waxwings mostly eat fruit and berries, but they are technically omnivorous birds that will eat insects too. Compared to crows and many other birds, waxwings can be harder to attract and they’re not likely to take up permanent residence in your garden. However, with the right balance of food, water and shelter, you can make your garden enticing to these feathered nomads and invite waxwings to drop in whenever they fly by!

Grow berry producing plants.

The single best way to attract waxwings is to grow berry-producing trees and shrubs. Waxwings LOVE eating berries and, if you’ve ever had a waxwing flock stop by your garden, you know they will happily gobble up all the berries in sight in the space of an afternoon! Growing plants that produce berries and fruit at different times of the year can increase the chances that waxwings will visit your yard throughout the seasons.

Native plants are always the best plants to grow for attracting wildlife, but what plants are native to your garden will vary depending on where you live. Holly bushes are favored by waxwings, but some other excellent fruit-bearing plants to grow include:

Elderberries
Blackberries
Blueberries
Raspberries
Wild strawberries
Serviceberries
Cotoneaster
Chokecherries
Wild grapes
Hackberries
Mountain ash
Winterberries

Tip: Waxwings typically eat fruit and berries whole, so look for plants that yield small berries!

Add other flowering plants.

Although waxwings spend most of their time eating fruit and berries, they also eat insects. Growing insect-attracting plants like yarrow , coneflowers, black eyed Susan, bee balm and plants in the carrot family (dill, parsley, and fennel , for instance) , can make your garden more enticing to waxwings and other birds too. If you happen to keep a vegetable garden, you’ll appreciate all the pest-eating help you can get and waxwings are always happy to oblige!

Hint: Waxwings will chow down on a variety of garden pests, but they’re particularly fond of caterpillars, cicadas, scale, ants, beetles and sawflies!

Hang up a feeder.

Waxwings can be reluctant to visit backyard bird feeders and they’re more likely to drop into gardens with berry-producing shrubs. However, waxwings will occasionally stop by tray or platform feeders if they’re filled with the right cedar waxing bird food . Seed blends that contain dried fruit , like currants and raisins , are appropriate, but you can also place out an old pie tin filled with chopped grapes and apples or hang up garlands of cranberries to lure waxwings in.

Tip: If you’re using fresh fruit, be sure to replace it daily and rinse out your feeding dish. Spoiled fruit isn’t good for humans and it’s not good for waxwings either!

Install a water feature.

Waxwings may not be all that interested in bird feeders, but they do love a good bird bath ! Wide and sturdy bird baths will accommodate several waxwings at once, but baths don’t need to be very deep – just 2 to 3” deep should do. Position bird baths in a sunny spot and clean them out regularly to make them irresistible to waxwing flocks.

Tip: Adding a solar-powered bubbler can make water features more attractive to birds (and less attractive to mosquitoes!)

Keep sheltering trees.

Some birds will frequent birdhouses and roosting boxes , but waxwings aren’t that keen on sleeping in premade houses. Instead, waxwings will often nest in the crooks of tree branches and other shrubby or evergreen plants. Adding native shrubs and trees to your garden will provide natural nesting spots for waxwings and save you the trouble of building a bird house.

While waxwings will nest in a variety of different trees, if you’re planning to plant new trees in your garden, you may want to add the following trees for waxwings:

Cedars and native evergreens

Tip: For an extra boost, try growing plants that waxwings and other birds can use to build nests – like ornamental grasses, dandelion fluff and milkweed fluff. You can also place out suet cages filled with nesting materials, like clean fur and feathers.

Go organic.

Of course, if your goal is to attract wildlife, it’s always best to keep your garden and lawn as organic as possible… and that means avoiding herbicides, pesticides and synthetic fertilizers whenever possible. Waxwings and other birds feed on insects, but if pesticides are used in your garden, insect prey will be scarce and birds may accidentally ingest pesticides if they do happen to find a bug to nibble on.

Luckily, there are lots of ways to go organic in your garden. Crop rotation, companion planting and a good autumn garden cleanup can keep pests in check, and floating row covers and fruit protection bags are handy too. If you do need to use spray products, organic insecticidal soap sprays have less of an impact on pollinators (but don’t spray them on flowers) and pesky weeds can be controlled with hand-pulling , weed barrier cloths and horticultural vinegar sprays.

Why Are Waxwings Called Waxwings?

When you first look at waxwings, you’ll probably notice the black bandit’s mask over their eyes and the pointed crest of feathers on their heads. But what you probably won’t notice is the bright patch of red on the tips of their wings!

It took me years to see the red on waxwings’ wings, but that little splash of color is actually how waxwings got their name. This bright coloration is said to look like red candle wax dripping from their wings, although the red color is actually derived from the red pigment in the berries waxwings consume. Waxwings develop more red “wax” spots as they age and young waxwings may not have any red coloration at all.

Bohemian Waxwings vs. Cedar Waxwings: What’s the Difference?

Bohemian waxwings and cedar waxwings look very similar and it can be hard to tell them apart. But there are a few key ways to differentiate these two backyard birds :

Cedar waxwings have a wider range and they are more common in many areas.
Cedar waxwings have white at the base of their tails, while Bohemian waxwings have a brownish-red color.
Bohemian waxwings have more gray feathers, and a tinge of reddish-brown feathers on their face.
Bohemian waxwings have more patterned, yellow and white feathers on their wings.

A Note on Protecting Fruit Crops from Birds

If you grow fruit trees, strawberries or cane fruit like raspberries and blackberries in your garden, you may lose some of your harvest to backyard birds. Personally, I don’t mind this so much because I love seeing birds (and they pay me back by eating garden pests!), but if you are losing too much of your berry crop, there are a few things you can do.

First, plant native plants that produce berries . This will distract birds away from the fruit you’re trying to grow.
Second, install a bird bath . Sometimes birds nibble on fruit just because they’re thirsty!
Third, add fruit protection bags or floating row covers . If birds are really devouring your berries, these barrier products can help. However, I always recommend that gardeners avoid bird netting as it poses a snare hazard for birds and it can also harm other animals, like foxes and owls .

Frequently Asked Questions About Cedar and Bohemian Waxwing Bird Habitats

Do waxwings come to feeders.

Waxwings will sometimes visit feeders, but they’re more likely to feed on berry-producing shrubs. To entice waxwings to bird feeders, use tray or platform feeders filled with dry or fresh fruit.

Where do waxwings nest?

Waxwings generally nest in trees and they’re less likely to use nesting boxes than many other birds. Some of the trees waxwings like nesting in include native evergreens, maples and hawthorn.

When do waxwings migrate?

Waxwings may hang out in the northern United States year round, but some will also migrate south into the Southern United States and Central America in winter.

How do you tell the difference between a cedar waxwing female and male?

Male and female waxwings look very similar; however, male waxwings typically have a darker area under their chins.

Are their birds that look like cedar waxwing birds?

Aside from Bohemian waxwings, there are a few other birds that bear some resemblance to cedar waxwings. Cardinals have a similar shape to waxwings and they also sport a head crest, although male cardinals are red and female cardinals don’t have a black eye mask. Tufted titmice also look a bit like waxwings, but they’re smaller in size and don’t have a dark eye mask either.

Understanding these food preservation techniques will help you save homegrown garden produce from going to waste.

How to grow elderberries for harvesting!

Growing Elderberries 101: How to Grow Elderberries with Tips from a Seasoned Grower

How to make vermicompost worm tea with homemade worm compost.

How to Make and Use Vermicompost Worm Tea for Gardens and Houseplants

Find the best plants for natural pest control in this companion gardening guide!

Companion Gardening Guide: How to Use Companion Planting for Garden Pest Control

backyardwildlifeconnection

Have cedar waxwings ever fed at your feeders.

Like many of you, I try to attract as many different species of birds to my feeders as possible. However, in spite of repeated efforts, I have yet to see a cedar waxwing dine at my feeders.

It is often said that coming close only counts when you play horseshoes. If that is the case, several years ago when a cedar waxing visited a birdbath located close by my feeders, I should be able to place it on my list of feeder birds. Right? Whom am I kidding? You know as well as I do, to add a cedar waxwing this prestigious list would totally delegitimize it.

With that in mind, I have decided to adopt a new strategy to attract these enigmatic birds to my feeders. I am going to concentrate my feeding efforts during those times when flocks of cedar waxwings visit the large red cedar trees growing in our yard are loaded with berries. When that occurs, it might be best if my wife hides the raisins and apples since they just might find their way to a platform feeder perched in front of my office.

I will let you know how things turn out.

In the meantime, I would like know if you have ever been successful in attracting cedar waxwings to your feeders.

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How To Attract Cedar Waxwings To Your Yard (6 Tips)

With their glossy plumage, black-masked eyes, and perky crests, cedar waxwings ( Bombycilla cedrorum ) are some of the most beautiful birds that will visit your backyard.

Here are the best ways to attract them to your property!

1. Plant Berry Bushes For Cedar Waxwings

Cedar waxwings love fruit. About 80% of their diet is made up of various berries, including American holly, juniper, elderberry, mountain ash, honeysuckle, and serviceberry.

When planning what to plant in your yard, aim for a mix of bushes and vines that will produce berries over as much of the year as possible.

For instance, haskaps are one of the first berry bushes to produce fruit in May, while wild cherries will have mature berries in mid-autumn. In between, there’s a whole host of different berries that will keep your cedar waxwing visitors well-fed all season long.

In fact, your biggest problem will be keeping these voracious eaters away from fruit that you want to keep for yourself! You may have to construct netted enclosures to keep them out of your raspberry or strawberry patches.

In addition, because cedar waxwings will often hang around all winter in the northern United States and southern Canada, planting bushes that keep their berries through the cold weather will provide them with a valuable food source in the winter months.

Hawthorn, juniper, American holly, and serviceberry are all good choices.

2. Stock Your Feeders With Fruit

However, if your berry bushes get stripped of fruit by cedar waxwings, you can always attract them to feeders with a selection of their favorite foods.

While seeds and suet will leave them cold, cranberries, raisins, and cut-up apples will all be appreciated. They’ll also enjoy some mealworms to add protein to their diet.

The type of feeder matters as well. Cedar waxwings prefer a platform-style feeder with the food spread out in the open.

If you do decide to feed birds in winter, it’s important to be consistent. If your local bird population gets accustomed to a steady supply of food, you can’t suddenly stop.

Empty feeders might mean dead birds, especially if a winter storm hits, or there’s a prolonged period of severe cold weather.

If you go away for more than a few days, make sure that you have someone to keep the feeders filled while you’re gone.

3. Avoid Using Insecticides

While 80% of their diet is fruit, cedar waxwings also eat a fair amount of insects, especially during the breeding season. They are especially partial to mayflies, dragonflies, and spruce budworms.

A robust insect population will help keep them around, so you should be very careful in using insecticides. As a bonus, birds can be very effective at controlling pest populations.

4. Get A Bird Bath To Attract Cedar Waxwings

Cedar waxwings appreciate access to fresh water, and a well-placed bird bath is a great way to keep them around. They like wide, shallow basins with 2 or 3 inches of water.

Find a sunny spot for it where the sunlight will sparkle off the water so they can’t miss it. It’s even better to have a bubbler installed to keep the water circulating and make it more noticeable.

5. Grow Cedars And Maples For Cedar Waxwing Nesting

Cedar waxwings don’t just need a place to eat, but also a place to live.

As you might guess from their name, they’re partial to nesting in cedars or junipers, which not only provide them with winter food, but also with a secure home protected from cold winds and potential predators.

Maple trees are another favorite for nesting, as they like to build their nests high off the ground when possible.

Overall, you should aim to plant a wide variety of fruiting shrubs and trees, and lots of evergreens, to provide both food and shelter to cedar waxwings.

Consider installing a mixed hedge of deciduous and evergreen shrubs to screen your yard from the prevailing winds to create a refuge for all sorts of birds.

6. Provide Cedar Waxwings With Nest Construction Materials

One way to encourage cedar waxwings to take up residence in your yard is by making it easier for them to build a nest .

Take an empty suet feeder or even a netted onion bag, and fill it with scraps of wool, fur, and feathers for cedar waxwings and other birds to use in renovating an existing nest or building a new one.

How to Attract Cedar Waxwings

Sharing is caring!

One of the most beautiful birds you want to visit in the garden is the cedar waxwings. These birds are physically striking, highlighted by the black mask on their faces. These birds are colorful, too, with red and waxy tips on their feathers and light yellow color on their breast.

But how to attract cedar waxwings? These birds offer an excellent view once they are in your backyard, but there are certain things that you can do to effectively entice them to stay and visit your place frequently.

Cedar Waxwing Loves to Eat Fruits

If you want to attract cedar waxwings, you will need to familiarize what cedar waxwings like to eat. Then, you can provide them with the food they eat in the wild in your backyard to attract these birds to visit your place.

These birds like to eat fruits since they forage in their flock year-round. So, increasing the chance to attract them will depend on the way you will add fruit-bearing fruits and berry-producing trees in your backyard. Adding shrubs in your backyard will also give additional food sources for these colorful birds.

Among the fruit-bearing trees you can plant are strawberry, winterberry, serviceberry, juniper, hawthorn, crabapple, madrone, and many more. Since these birds travel in the flock, expect a single tree to be a strip with all its fruits once these birds discover it.

The best thing about strawberries is they are easy to grow in the backyard. You can have the option to grow them on the ground or in other places such as in the garden or in hanging pots. It will all depend on the availability of the space.

Cedar waxwings love to eat this fruit since the size is not that big. These birds like to eat the fruit whole, which means they prefer to devour small fruits. The size of the strawberry is perfect for these birds to eat in their meal.

Serviceberry

Planting serviceberry can help draw cedar waxwing into your garden, but it also provides other substantial benefits to you. For one, the fruits can also be eaten by you, while flowers will decorate your garden during the spring.

Cedar waxwings usually look for serviceberry during the summer. Since this fruit is full of sugar, it makes us an ideal snack for these beautiful creatures but expects them to eat all of the fruits available in the backyard since these birds travel in the flock.

Winterberry

Cedar waxwings and winterberry are made for each other. You can expect a large flock of these birds to eat every berry found on each branch during the winter. If you love watching cedar waxwings, then planting a lot of winterberries will give you a once-in-a-year spectacle.

Winterberries will attract those beautiful birds and enhance your winter garden. A berry-covered branch of the winterberry can do wonders in your winter garden. Add the lovely visitor; then you can enjoy the sight of the beautiful birds in your garden.

Bird Feeders for Cedar Waxwings

Unfortunately, these beautiful birds may not come into a bird feeder so quickly. However, if you want to learn how to attract cedar waxwings to a feeder, using the correct type of bird feeder while filling the right bird food that they like is a must.

Cedar waxwings will come in large and open tray feeders. The most suitable type of bird feeder that you can use is a platform bird feeder or a tray feeder. You can put dried berries, chopped grapes, raisins, and small apple chunks to lure them.

Platform Feeders

Platform feeders are perfect for cedar waxwing because they provide ample open space for the birds. Since these beautiful birds come in a flock, you will need a larger space for them to move around while searching for the food they eat.

Tray Feeder

A tray feeder can also be an option to attract cedar waxwings since it is built similarly to platform feeders. Since tray feeders do not have feeding ports or shapes, they can provide open spaces for the flock of the cedar waxwings.

Providing Water Source for Cedar Waxwings

It can be challenging for cedar waxwings to come in a bird feeder, but it will be easier for these birds to go in a birdbath. But it would be best if you used a large birdbath that can accommodate many birds once they come into your backyard.

Bird Bath Requirement

Since cedar waxwings come in a flock, you will need a large birdbath to accommodate them. The birdbath should have a large and wide basin to provide enough space for the birds. The basin should also be 2 to 3 inches deep for the birds to be comfortable bathing and drinking.

Positioning of the birdbath is also very important to attract cedar waxwings. Putting it in place under direct exposure to the sun is advised to catch the attention of the passing cedar waxwings.

Adding a wiggler or a bubbler will provide the extra motion to make it more noticeable. But make sure to provide non-stop water resources to accommodate the flock of the birds. A heated birdbath is encouraged for the birds to use during winter despite the snowy condition.

A flock of cedar waxwings visiting your backyard is a sight for any birder. These beautiful and colorful birds will make your garden and your yard colorful as they try to find food that they can eat in your place.

But you must learn how to attract cedar waxwings in your garden. We have presented several ways to do it. All of the methods we have shown have been proven to be very effective in luring these birds into the backyard.

These medium-sized songbirds are often recognized by their sleek, silky plumage of gray-brown, with a black mask around their eyes

The Cedar Waxwing is a sleek, medium-sized bird. They have short necks, short, wide bills, and large heads. These birds have a crest that hangs over the back of the head and lays flat. Cedar Waxwings have square-tipped, relatively short tails.

You’ll often hear a Cedar Waxwing before you see it. We recommend that you learn their high-pitched call so that you can find them more easily.

Cedar Waxwings inhabit many areas like, high in evergreens, over ponds, low in berry bushes, and along rivers. Be sure to look at big flocks of small birds. Cedar Waxwings frequently form large disorderly flocks that divide, grow, rejoin, and shrink.

On this page

Breeding Male

Range (and seasonal changes), vocalization, similar species, frequently asked questions.

Breeding male Cedar Waxwings are pale brown on the chest and head that fades to a soft gray on the wings. They have gray tails with bright yellow tips and pale yellow bellies.

Cedar Waxwings have narrow black masks that are cleanly outlined with white. They have red waxy tips on their wing feathers, which can be hard to see.

Cedar Waxwings are 5.5 to 6.7 inches (14 to 17 centimeters) long and weigh 1.1 ounces (32 grams). For reference, they are a little bit smaller than Bohemian Waxwings .

Female Cedar Waxwings look identical to male Cedar Waxwings.

Juvenile Cedar Waxwings have a lot more marking than adults do. The black mask is fainter, and they have dusky streaks below.

It takes around 12 to 13 days for Cedar Waxwings to hatch, leaving the nest between 14 to 18 days after hatching. Both parents will continue to feed their young for a week after they leave the nest.

Cedar Waxwings inhabit coniferous, mixed, and deciduous woodlands. They prefer areas of woodlands along streams. You may also find them in grasslands, old fields, desert washes, and sagebrush.

Ornamental berry trees have become an extremely popular choice in landscaping; because of this, Cedar Waxwings are becoming more common in suburbs and towns.

These birds are plentiful in the winter, around fruiting plants in parks, open woodlands, gardens, second-growth forests, and forest edges. Cedar Waxwings that winter in the tropics usually inhabit highlands.

Cedar Waxwings primarily consume fruit. In the summer months, these birds feed on fruits like strawberries, serviceberry, mulberry, raspberry, and dogwood. The birds’ got their name from their taste for cedar berries in the winter .

They’ve also been known to consume madrone, mistletoe, juniper, honeysuckle, mountain ash, crabapple, Russian olive fruits, and hawthorn. Cedar Waxwings supplement their diet in the summer with protein-rich insects like stoneflies, dragonflies, and mayflies.

They’ve also been known to consume scale insects like spruce budworms and leaf beetles directly from vegetation.

Cedar Waxwings are extremely social birds that nest in roomy clusters and form large flocks. When feeding, these birds pluck fruit one by one and swallow them whole.

These birds usually feed while perched on a twig, but they’ve also been observed grabbing berries while briefly hovering. Cedar Waxwings make long, zig-zagging flights over water or fly out from an exposed perch when they consume insects.

When courting, male and female Cedar Waxwings hop toward each other, alternating back and forth. In this courtship, they’ll sometimes even touch their bills together.

Males usually pass a small object like a flower petal, insect, or fruit to the female. After taking the object, the female will hop away and return to give the object back to the male.

They repeat this process a few times until the female consumes the gift.

Cedar Waxwings are short to long-distance migrants. Many birds in the eastern portions of North America winter in the southeastern United States . However, some travel as far south as Panama and Costa Rica.

Cedar Waxwings have pointed, broad wings and a wingspan of 8.7 to 11.8 inches (22 to 30 centimeters). Their wings are very similar to Starling ‘s wings.

Cedar Waxwings can fly very fast! They have direct and impressive flight and can fly at a speed of 25 mph.
Brown-headed Cowbirds lay their eggs in Cedar Waxwing nests. However, the hatchlings usually don’t survive because they can’t grow on such a high-fruit diet.
A group of Cedar Waxwings is called a “museum” or an “ear-full” of waxwings.
Because Cedar Waxwings eat so much fruit, they’ll sometimes become intoxicated by fermented berries.
It takes 5 to 6 days for a female Cedar Waxwing to build her nest . Sometimes she’ll even steal materials from other species’ nests to save time.

Cedar Waxwings have two calls that are pretty common. A sighing whistle and a high-pitched, trilled bzeee . These calls are about a half-second long and usually rise in pitch at the beginning of the call.

These birds are very vocal and call often. This is especially true in flight.

Bohemian Waxwing

Both Cedar Waxwings and Bohemian Waxwings have a unique silky complexion. But that’s where the similarities end.

Bohemian Waxwings are grayish in color, with some brownish colors on their faces. Meanwhile, Cedar Waxwings have more yellow and brownish colors in their plumage.

Bohemian Waxwings tend to be a bit bigger in size too.

Where do Cedar Waxwings live?

What does a cedar waxwing sound like.

Cedar Waxwings have two calls that are pretty common. A sighing whistle and a high-pitched, trilled bzeee.

Is it rare to see a Cedar Waxwing?

No, Cedar Waxwings are not rare. They have an estimated global breeding population of 64 million. They’re rated 6 out of 20 on the Continental Concern Score which means they’re a species of low concern. The increase in their populations are probably partially due to reversion of fields to forests and shrublands as well as the use of berry trees in landscaping.

Where do Cedar Waxwings go in the winter?

In the winter months, these birds are plentiful around fruiting plants in parks, open woodlands, gardens, second-growth forests, and forest edges. Cedar Waxwings that winter in the tropics usually inhabit highlands.

Do Cedar Waxwings go to bird feeders?

Cedar Waxwings aren’t birds that regularly come to feeders. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t get them to come to your feeders. If you offer the right foods like currants, small apple chunks, cranberries, chopped grapes, and raisins may tempt these birds and utilize tray or large, open platform feeders where flocks can feel comfortable making them more likely to come back.

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BIRD OF THE WEEK: THE CEDAR WAXWING

Well, hello there, you handsome thing -so nice of you to come!

Having a cedar waxwing in your yard is a special pleasure. They will visit for as long as there are berries to peck and as soon as there are no more, they are off.

So cherish those moments while they are still around. It’s a treat to watch them fly in large flocks and chatter in their unmistakable high pitched chirps, while making themselves comfortable on a berry branch. Maybe you will catch them passing a berry from beak to beak until one of them finally swallows it! Who said winter doesn't have its perks.

Of course the name implies who they are - “red cedar” lovers (aka juniper) which offers its juicy blue fruit.

These sleek flyers can reach up to 25 miles per hour as they fly. They breed all the way from southern Canada to Puerto Rico, roosting in deciduous, coniferous and mixed forests, grasslands, open fields - and any area near a stream . However, if you plant their favourite berries in your backyard or offer a bird feeder with some tasty morsels - they could well become family!

They usually come and go in the winter so there is no real pattern - they can suddenly arrive at your backyard and next season not be there at all! Or… they may be in your garden at the end of summer and the beginning of winter and then suddenly disappear.

In case you missed last week's bird-of-the-week: The American goldfinch.

Cedar waxwings are about 6–7 inches long and weigh around 1 oz - the same weight as a pencil or a slice of bread. They are slightly smaller than the Bohemian waxwing, their close relative.

Easy on the eyes, these songbirds are covered in a brownish-grey sheen, sport a black mask and a flat crest that stands up like a feathered tiara. They have bright pinkish-red droplets on the edge of their secondary wings, the wings that give them flight. This colour comes from a pigment in the berries they eat. The tail is short and square, tipped with a splash of warm yellow (sometimes orange, when consuming exotic honeysuckle fruits) and their bill is short and wide.

Males and females look alike, with their warm yellow-coloured bellies. However, during breeding times, the females are bigger.

Juveniles are streaked on the throat and flaps. They look like adults, but are slightly greyer and with a smaller crest. (A crest in training!) The young’uns don’t yet have the red spots on their wings either.

The oldest observed cedar waxwing was eight years and two months old. However, the average lifespan of a cedar waxwing is around 8 years. Not bad for a songbird!

A quick word on how to tell them apart from Bohemian Cedars, which have similar plumage: check under the belly - if it’s gray, it’s a Bohemian Cedar. Also, if it’s rusty under the tail with small white and yellow markings on the wings - it, too, is a Bohemian.

WHAT DO CEDAR WAXWINGS EAT?

A Cedar waxwing diet consists of 80% fruit. Though their main go-to is the juniper of the red-cedar, sadly these trees are being cut down more and more for building purposes, fence posts or wood for pencils. Cedar waxwings have had to widen their variety of food to survive.

They typically feed near the tips of fruit-bearing branches - often hanging upside down to pluck favorites such as cherries, crabapples and hawthorn fruits which are high in sugar content.

WHAT BIRD-FEEDERS DO WAXWING CEDARS PREFER?

Cedar waxwings prefer platform feeders with an assortment of berries, bite-size cut apples and mealworms.

An assortment of berries is a great way to attract them. When you see which are most popular, you will know what to offer in the future.

In the summer: Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, serviceberries, mulberries, raspberries and grapes.

In the winter: cedar berries, mistletoe, madrone, juniper, mountain ash, honeysuckle, crabapple, hawthorn and Russian olive fruits.

WHAT DO CEDAR WAXWINGS SOUND LIKE?

Cedar waxwings are so beautiful that they forgot to invest in their singing! They don’t really “sing”, rather fly around in huge flocks and chirp in high pitched tones. They trill, whistle, screech and even sigh. But sing? Despite the fact that they are songbirds - one couldn’t call the sounds they make singing. But they still produce a sweet sound!

Check out for yourselves:

Like the Carolina wrens we wrote about last week, cedar waxwings nest later in the summer than most songbirds, starting from June and well into August. This is for the same reason as the American goldfinches - so this period will coincide with the ripening of their chosen berries.

Once the happy couple meet they stay monogamous. The male will court the female with a hopping jig and will feed her with berries, insects or flower petals in a demonstration of his devotion.. If the female is interested, she will reciprocate with the hopping and return the gift. The male then knows she has accepted his courting and they will continue to “dance,” going back and forth with their gift exchanges for a while.

The females are the main nest builders, though the male does some of the chores. The nest is in a loose cup-shape, which she builds with twigs, roots, grass, pine needles and even horsehair if there are stables around! It takes her 5 to 6 days to complete the nest - sometimes she’ll steal from nests nearby.

She will lay 2-5 pale-blue eggs with dark spots - one per morning - then incubate them for a period of about 12 days.

The newborns are not only born helpless but also blind. The parents feed them for around 15 days before they dare to spread their wings and take short flights around the nest.

Even after the fledglings gain some confidence, the parents will continue feeding them for another 6 to 10 days.

Once ready, the young’uns form flocks after leaving the nest and stay within them until they are around 1 year, when they themselves start to breed. One year to pass a survival test, and you become a parent!

Cedar waxwings usually produce 1-2 broods per season.

Waxwings can actually get drunk! When the berries get over-fermented, which can happen if there are a series of warm days after the cold, or the berries are over-ripe, these regal-looking creatures can suddenly hardly walk, let alone fly. When drunk, birds can fly into a window and get hurt. In these cases, it would be a good thing to take them to your local veterinarian. Also, watch out for cats!

Here's what you do:

CROSSING BORDERS

Did you know a very few, but adventurous, cedar waxwings were found in Iceland and Great Britain?

WHAT AN EAR-FULL!

A flock of cedar waxwings is called an “ear-full” or a “museum” of waxwings!

SHOWING LOVE

Mating birds will sometimes sit close to each other, rubbing their beaks together.

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Do waxwings come to feeders?

Waxwings are medium-sized perching birds that belong to the Bombycillidae family. There are three species of waxwings: Bohemian Waxwing, Cedar Waxwing, and Japanese Waxwing. Waxwings are named for the wax-like tips on their secondary flight feathers, which resemble red sealing wax.

Waxwings are sociable birds that often move and feed in flocks. They have elaborate plumage and crested heads, which gives them a unique silhouette when perched. Waxwings mostly eat fruit and berries and are irruptive migrants, meaning they will travel south some years when their food supplies farther north are scarce.

Since waxwings primarily eat fruit, many people wonder if they will visit backyard fruit feeders. The short answer is maybe, but waxwings only occasionally come to fruit feeders under the right circumstances. Keep reading to learn more about waxwing habits, diet, and how to attract them to your yard.

Do Waxwings Eat Fruit?

Yes, fruit makes up the majority of waxwings’ diet. They prefer smaller fruits like berries from ornamental trees and shrubs. Some of their favorites include:

Serviceberries
Chokecherries
Hawthorn fruits
Juniper berries
Mountain ash berries
Mistletoe berries

Waxwings will also occasionally eat buds, seeds, and insects, especially in summer when fruit is more scarce. But fruit comprises over 50% of their annual diet.

In winter, waxwings rely heavily on persistent fruits that cling to branches even in snow and ice. These cold-hardy fruits include mountain ash, crabapples, winterberries, and eastern red cedar. By sticking to a fruit diet year-round, waxwings can take advantage of food sources that are plentiful in some seasons but scarce for other birds in winter.

When and Where do Waxwings Feed?

Waxwings feed mainly in open woodlands, along forest edges, in orchards, and in landscaped parks or yards. They perch upright in treetops and tall shrubs, then swoop down to pluck hanging fruit.

These birds are nomadic and go wherever fruits are readily available. In late summer and fall, they concentrate in berry-rich areas of Canada and the northern U.S. Some years when fruit crops are sparse farther north, waxwings will irrupt south in search of food.

Waxwings are social and feed in flocks that can number in the hundreds. They call back and forth constantly to coordinate foraging and alert each other to fruiting trees.

Unlike many birds, waxwings may feed heavily throughout the day. They eat fruits sequentially as they ripen and will return to the same trees day after day until crops are depleted. Feeding activity peaks in early morning and late afternoon.

Waxwings rely on vision to spot fruit while flying over the landscape. They need ample sunlight, so cloudy days will suppress feeding. Cold weather does not deter them as long as fruits remain exposed above snow.

Do Waxwings Come to Feeders?

Waxwings only occasionally visit backyard fruit feeders. As wild birds, they prefer to feed on native, natural foods within a larger landscape. However, waxwings may stop at yards with fruiting trees and shrubs or feeders stocked with their favorite fruits.

Here are some tips to increase your chances of attracting waxwings:

Plant native trees and shrubs that produce small fruits attractive to waxwings.
Choose cultivars selected for fruit production over ornamental varieties.
Arrange plantings in clumps rather than single specimens.
Allow some fruits to linger on branches into winter.
Supply clean, fresh water daily.
Set up fruit feeders with preferred fruits near fruiting trees.

The most likely fruits to draw in waxwings at feeders are those from native plants suited for your region. For example, Pacific Northwest yards may get visits with Sitka mountain ash while Northeastern yards could have success with winterberries.

You’re more likely to get waxwings at feeders on irruptive winters when natural crops are low farther north. Maintaining natural habitat and food sources on your property will improve your chances versus just a single fruit feeder. But they may discover and return to any new, plentiful food source.

Best Fruits for Waxwing Feeders

The best fruits to offer waxwings will vary by location and season. Choose fruits native to your region that ripen at different times. Good options include:

Select cultivars of fruit trees and shrubs developed for ornamental qualities and heavy fruit production. Be sure your climate matches their growing range.

For feeders, offer fruits that are small enough for waxwings to consume easily. Chop up larger fruits like apples or peaches into smaller pieces. Skewer cut fruits onto branches or stack them in open trays.

Replace feeder fruits at least every couple days to prevent spoilage. Clean feeders regularly to avoid transmission of diseases between birds.

Fruit Feeder Considerations

Here are some other tips for creating successful waxwing fruit feeders:

Site feeders in open areas with visibility to treetops where waxwings perch.
Elevate feeders 15 feet or higher to facilitate flight access.
Place multiple feeders around your yard to reduce competition.
Choose durable metal, plastic, or ceramic feeders that protect fruits from squirrels.
Monitor fruit volume and replace before feeders empty out each day.
Clean and disinfect feeders regularly to prevent spread of disease.
Supply a water source like a birdbath, fountain, or mister.

Be aware that other birds like robins, thrushes, sparrows, woodpeckers, and starlings may also visit fruit feeders. Monitor to be sure waxwings are getting enough.

Waxwings are fruit-loving birds that may occasionally visit yards and fruit feeders during their nomadic winter wandering. But they prefer to feed on native plants as part of a varied habitat. By landscaping with fruiting trees, shrubs, and vines that provide a seasonal sequence of ripe fruits, you can create an attractive winter refuge for waxwings. Place fruit feeders bountifully stocked with their favored fruits to supplement natural food sources. With the right habitat and a little luck, waxwings may descend on your yard to enjoy your winter berry buffet.

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10 Ideas for How to Attract Cedar Waxwings

Learning how to attract Cedar waxwings may seem daunting, but we are here to help. These friendly birds are known for their love of fruit and can often be seen in flocks foraging for cedar berries. Attracting cedar waxwings to your garden involves providing a habitat that meets their needs and understanding their behavior.

To draw these cute birds to your area, you need to offer an abundant supply of their favorite foods. Planting native shrubs and trees that produce small fruits, such as serviceberry, juniper, cedar berry, and dogwood, can naturally attract waxwings.

Critical Takeaways for Attracting Cedar Waxwings

Plant berry-producing vegetation to provide a natural food source for waxwings.
Create a safe habitat with shelter, a platform feeder, and water to encourage visits from flocks.
Understand and cater to the behaviors and preferences of cedar waxwings to attract them.

Understanding Cedar Waxwings is the First Step to Attracting Them

If you’re interested in these sleek birds, you’ll want to learn about their distinct features and habits. Here is what you need to know if you want to attract the Cedar Waxwing to your yard.

Physical Characteristics: First Let’s Learn What They Look Like!

How to attract Cedar waxwings, first involves getting to know them! Cedar Waxwings ( Bombycilla cedrorum ) exhibit distinctive markings. They sport a shiny, black mask lining their eyes, which gives them a unique look. These birds are about the size of a robin, and you may even find them hanging out together in the winter months.

Their silky plumage blends brown , gray , and yellow hues, while their tail tips are a bright yellow . However, some cedar waxwings will have an orange tip on the tail instead of a yellow due to the orange berries they were eating as juveniles.

You’ll also see unique red spots resembling sealing wax drops on their wings, earning them their name. These medium-sized birds transition smoothly from a tan head to a brownish-grey body.

Behavioral Traits of Cedar Waxwing

cedar waxwing behavior - they share food

In your backyard, you might spot Cedar Waxwings moving in large flocks . They have a nomadic lifestyle, which means they roam across large areas instead of having a fixed territory. Waxwings are known for their social feeding behavior, where they share berries directly beak-to-beak with each other, a sight unique among bird species.

Diet and Feeding Habits of Cedar Waxwing

The diet of Cedar Waxwings is primarily composed of fruits such as juniper berries , serviceberries , mulberries , holly berries, and crabapples . They will also occasionally eat off of some non-native trees like Russian olive fruits.

During the breeding season, or months when there is less fruit, they will also eat insects like mayflies, dragonflies , mealworm s, scale insects, ants , beetles , and caterpillars .

Plant fruit-bearing trees such as dogwood , eastern red cedar, hawthorn , and winterberry to attract cedar waxwings, or leave out sliced apples and strawberries in your backyard.

If you want to know how to attract other songbirds, we have an entire guide!

Easy hacks for how to attract songbirds to ANY yard !

Habitat Preferences of Cedar Waxwing

Cedar Waxwings favor habitats with abundant fruit trees, which typically include forest edges near streams or rivers , deciduous and evergreen woodlands, and urban areas . So as long as there are berries they can turn anyplace into a suitable habitat.

They’re comfortable both in your backyard and the wilderness, making attracting them rather convenient if you know which resources to offer. (Like any berry-producing trees)

Reproduction and Nesting of Cedar Waxwings

During the breeding season , Cedar Waxwings build nests out of twigs and other materials they find in their environment. They prefer to nest in trees or shrubs and often have two yearly broods . The eggs are pale blue and spotted, and both parents feed the young.

Migration Patterns – Flocks of Cedar Waxwings

As migratory birds , Cedar Waxwings may travel in large flocks to different parts of North America, depending on the season.

They breed in the northern part of their range, which includes Canada and the United States , and then move towards the south in winter . Their travel routes can be pretty flexible, making their migration patterns somewhat unpredictable.

If you want to attract these birds with the striking black mask, your garden should include elements that cater to their specific needs, such as berry-filled trees and amenities for feeding and nesting.

Plus, consider the winter months if you live in the northern end of their migratory range. Attracting cedar waxwings is not about creating short-term lures but instead creating a haven in your yard that focuses on food availability and abundant fruit.

Planting the Right Flora

Fruit-bearing trees and berry bushes are essential to attract Cedar Waxwings. Plant dogwood , hawthorn, juniper, holly, serviceberry , cherry , and mountain ash to provide a steady food source. Shrubs like junipers , honeysuckle , and elderberry will also allure these birds.

Providing Water Sources

Cedar Waxwings are fond of water, so a bird bath or a small water feature , like a fountain, is a great attraction. Learn some of our tips and tricks for how to attract birds to a birdbath . If you have space, consider adding a stream or creating a pond to mimic their natural habitat.

Designing Your Garden with Evergreens for Waxwings

Design your garden with Cedar Waxwings in mind. Include trees and shrubs that offer both food and shelter . Create a hedge or plant evergreens to protect these birds from predators.

Create a Berry Buffet for the Winter Months

Incorporate various berry-producing plants that bear fruit at different times of the year to provide a consistent food source. The northern half of the US has many year-round residents, so you want to provide food for these beautiful birds if you are trying to attract them to your yard.

If you have mulberries in the summer, you’ll want to ensure you have some winterberry, northern bayberry, and chokeberry for the winter waxwings. Creating a winter berry garden will also help if you’re trying to keep robins around in the winter .

Pay attention to the time of year your yard has more or less berries. You can plant more winter berries to promote year-round visits from your favorite birds.

Open Perching Spaces

Include open areas with high perches, such as tall trees or structures where waxwings can survey the area and gather in flocks. You can place some of these open perching spaces on tall trees or balconies. Attracting cedar waxwings takes time because you need them to notice your yard as a bountiful place for food.

Supplemental Feeding and Feeders

During seasons when natural food might be scarce, provide supplemental feeding. Set up a tray feeder with various fruit and berries and freeze-dried berries. Cedar waxwings do not eat suet, so instead, offer them a variety of berries on a platform feeder to give them an extra energy source.

Offering Nesting Materials and Support

Cedar Waxwings look for nesting materials and locations that provide safety. Leave out twigs , grass clippings , and small pieces of fabric to help them build nests. Providing shelter for cedar waxwing nests in the form of dense shrubs or trees will encourage them to nest in your backyard.

Offer a Bird House

Cedar waxwings will only use a birdhouse if it’s near dense shrubs or vegetation. If you place the bird house on the side of a tree in an open area, the waxwings are not likely to use them.

However, if you put some thought into placement and pick the part of your yard closest to other shrubs and berry-producing trees, the female cedar waxwing may set up a nest.

Layered Planting

Design your garden with a mix of tall trees, medium-sized shrubs, and ground covers to mimic their natural habitat and provide shelter.

Leave Fruit on Trees

The best way to attract a flock of cedar waxwings is to allow the fruit to remain on trees and shrubs during fall and winter, as Cedar Waxwings are late-season foragers.

Common Challenges and Solutions

When attracting cedar waxwings to your garden or backyard, it’s essential to be aware of and mitigate potential hazards and manage bird populations and health effectively. Here are some strategies for addressing these issues:

Protecting the Birds from Hazards

Creating a safe haven for cedar waxwings means minimizing dangers in their environment. Here’s how you can do so:

Placing decals on windows to make them more visible to birds.
Installing screens or breaking up reflections with curtains or blinds.
Keep your cats indoors or create a catio to prevent hunting.
Provide dense shrubbery for shelter so birds can hide and escape.
Plant native bird friendly trees and shrubs that provide natural protection.
Install birdhouses designed for waxwings with appropriate entrance hole sizes.

Managing Bird Populations and Health

Ensuring the well-being of cedar waxwing flocks entails the following:

Offer native berry-producing plants in your garden to provide natural food sources.
Avoid pesticides and herbicides that can harm the waxwings and their food supply.
Regularly clean feeding stations and bird baths to reduce disease transmission.
Observe visiting flocks for signs of illness and contact a wildlife expert if needed.

Supporting Waxwing Populations Beyond Your Garden

Cedar waxwings are a valuable part of North American ecosystems. Your actions can help these birds not just in your garden but also in the larger environment. Did you know that they can help control outbreaks of the devastating spruce budworm ?

Conservation and Local Ecosystems

To support waxwing populations, you can contribute to regional conservation efforts. Participate in local park cleanups and support habitat preservation —both actions are crucial.

Parks and protected areas in urban and rural settings offer vital havens for wildlife, including cedar waxwings. Keeping these areas clean and undisturbed helps maintain the natural spaces these birds rely on for breeding and feeding.

Create or join a conservation group aimed at safeguarding these ecosystems. Through these groups, you can work on planting native trees and shrubs, like berry-producing plants that waxwings love. Such efforts enrich habitats not just for waxwings but for various wildlife.

Educational Awareness and Community Involvement

Educating yourself and others about the importance of cedar waxwings amplifies the impact of conservation work. Attend workshops or programs at local nature centers or museums, and encourage others to join you in learning about these birds and their role in the environment. Share this newfound knowledge to grow community awareness.

Start or partake in community science initiatives. These involve monitoring cedar waxwing populations or tracking their migration patterns. Such data collection is valuable to researchers and can inform better conservation strategies.

Furthermore, advocate for bird-friendly practices in your community—approach schools, businesses, and neighborhood councils to discuss how they can contribute. Tactics can include installing bird-proof windows to reduce collisions or preserving local fruit-bearing trees.

Your active role in these areas nurtures an environment where cedar waxwings—and countless other species—can thrive.

Are Bohemian Waxwings the Same as Cedar Waxwings?

Bohemian Waxwings and Cedar Waxwings are not the same but closely related species within the same genus, Bombycilla. Both species are known for their sleek appearance, distinctive crest, and colorful wing tips, but there are several differences between them:

Size and Shape: Bohemian Waxwings are generally larger and more robust than the more delicate Cedar Waxwings.

Coloration: Both species have a similar overall color scheme of brown, gray, and yellow, but Bohemian Waxwings typically have richer, rustier under-tail colors and more extensive yellow and white in the wings. Cedar Waxwings have a more pronounced yellow belly and a bright yellow tail tip, whereas Bohemian Waxwings have a yellow or reddish tail tip depending on their diet.

Habitat: You’ll find Cedar Waxwings across North America, especially in the United States and southern Canada. They prefer open wooded areas, gardens, and orchards.

On the other hand, Bohemian Waxwings are more northern in their distribution, breeding in the boreal forests of Canada and Alaska and wintering in the north of the United States and Canada. You’ll find them in flocks in open and wooded areas, especially with abundant berries.

What are Japanese Waxwings?

Japanese Waxwings (Bombycilla japonica) are a bird species in the waxwing family, including the more widely known Bohemian and Cedar Waxwings. They share many characteristics with their relatives, such as a sleek appearance, a prominent crest on their head, and colorful, waxy tips on their wing feathers.

The Japanese waxwings are primarily found in East Asia, including parts of Russia, China, Japan, and the Korean Peninsula. Their range is more localized than the more widespread Bohemian and Cedar Waxwings.

Ending Notes on Attracting Cedar Waxwings

When aiming to attract Cedar Waxwings to your yard, think of creating a welcoming habitat. They have a particular fondness for berry bushes . Plant a variety that ripens at different times to provide a consistent food source. For instance:

Early season : Serviceberry
Midseason : Juneberry
Late season : Winterberry

Ensuring a supply of fruit throughout the season will make your yard a regular stop for these birds.

Water sources are equally attractive to Cedar Waxwings. A birdbath or a shallow fountain can provide the freshwater they require for drinking and bathing. To enhance the appeal, make sure the water is clean and accessible.

Incorporate a mix of trees and shrubs for them to perch and nest in. Cedar Waxwings are social birds; they appreciate spaces where they can gather in flocks. Native plants like dogwood or cedar can provide both nourishment and shelter.

Remember, attracting Cedar Waxwings is more about creating an inviting environment rather than temporary lures. Your patience and effort in building a bird-friendly habitat will be rewarded with the delightful presence of these elegant birds.

Cedar Waxwing Nesting, Feeding, and Getting Drunk Habits

The Cedar Waxwing is a here today gone tomorrow type of bird. A flock of these birds may descend on a fruiting crab apple tree, passing ripe fruit from one bird to the other.

This cooperative feeding is worth watching as the waxwings make their high-pitched calls the whole time.

When the fruit is gone, so are the birds. Watch them while you can.

The following information by Eldon Greij will give you more information on the habits of these birds.

Handsome Is As Handsome Does

The sleek and handsome Cedar Waxwing is one of the most welcome avian visitors. Its silky plumage sometimes defies seeing individual feathers.

Description

What a cedar waxwing looks like.

The striking head sports an elongated crest with a black face mask and the generally brown and gray plumage has a black chin-throat and a soft yellow belly.

The cedar waxwing has a western cousin, the Bohemian waxwing , which has a similar plumage but is gray on the belly, rusty under the tail, and has small white and yellow markings in the wings.

Both have a yellow terminal tail bar. The yellow color results from the pigment carotene that is produced by plants and taken in when feeding.

Cedar Waxwing Call - Sound

In recent years, waxwings with orange terminal tail bars have appeared because the birds have fed on exotic honeysuckle fruits which have a different carotene pigment.

Another unusual plumage marker is the red waxy tips on the ends of the inner wing feathers, the secondaries.

The purpose of these red tips is not clear, but they are more common on older birds.

Birds with red-tipped secondaries breed earlier than those without and generally rear more young.

Red tips, therefore, probably are important signals for mate selection, functioning as "badges" to designate the fitness of individual birds.

Waxwings are very social and usually travel in flocks. Rarely does one see a single bird.

Their high-pitched twittering is a dead giveaway for those with fine-tuned hearing.

What do Cedar Waxwings Eat?

Cedar Waxwings eat about 80% fruit. They were named cedar waxwings because of their strong attraction to the red cedar tree (actually a juniper) with its sweet blue fruits.

As the supply of slow-growing red cedars dwindled because of their value as fence posts, storage chests, and the main wood for pencils, waxwing diets became more varied.

They typically feed near the tips of fruit-bearing branches.

Often you'll see them hanging upside down to pluck favorites such as cherries, crabapples, and hawthorn fruits which are high in sugar content.

Waxwings are susceptible to intoxication, especially when several warm days follow a cold frost.

The cold causes cells in the fruit to burst, and yeast works on the mash, converting sugar to alcohol.

There are many records of birds flying out of control from the effects of alcohol.

Many are harmed by not being able to metabolize the alcohol quickly enough.

Sometimes, when waxwings are lined up on a branch, the bird nearest the fruit cluster will pass fruit to its neighbor, which in turn, may pass it on down the line.

male and female cedar waxwing feeding nestlings in nest

Nesting Habits

Waxwings nest later in summer than most backyard birds. The reason they nest late is that they synchronize hatching with fruit development.

The nest is usually situated in a tree and is a cup-shaped bulky collection of grasses, shredded bark, rootlets, and lined with moss, fine grasses, and other soft materials.

Both males and females bring nest material, but females do most of the nest building.

Egg laying begins within 1 to 3 days after the nest is completed. Laying one egg each day until a clutch of 4 or 5 eggs.

Cedar Waxwing eggs are pale blue or blue-gray with black or gray blotches.

The female is the only one that incubates (gestation period isn't the term used with birds) the eggs and will do so for 12 days.

Nestlings spend another 13 days in the nest before fledging. 1 - 2 broods raised each season.

Habitat and Migration

Waxwings breed across North America from the lower tier of Canadian provinces south to the northern gulf states.

Their primary wintering site is in the southern U.S., but the species is nomadic and irruptive.

Consequently, they can be found anyplace in the United States and sometimes as far south as Costa Rica during the winter.

Typically waxwings gather for fall migration in August, although some will wait as long as October before migrating.

Keep your eyes on the neighborhood fruit trees. Regardless of the time of year, a flock of cedar waxwings can drop in at any moment.

You might like: My Baby Cedar Waxwing Larry

Frequently Asked Questions About Cedar Waxwings

Do cedar waxwings mate for life.

Studies show that Cedar Waxwings will stay together throughout the breeding season but there are no studies that show they mate for life.

If a second nest is begun, it's by the same pair.

Do Cedar Waxwings Eat Insects?

They do eat insects. Sometimes flying over water to catch emerging insects such as dragonflies.

Often they will hunt from a perch. Sighting an insect, they will sweep out to catch it. This beahavior is called "hawking".

Do Cedar Waxwings Come to Feeders?

Not really. They tend to eat fruit high in the trees. A large platform feeder with raisins, cranberries, grapes, and chopped apples may draw them.

Most likely you would get many other species of birds eating all the fruit before a Waxwing ever notices it's there.

Credit: Eldon Greij, founding editor of Birder's World magazine and former president of Avian Enterprises. Used with permission.

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Cedar Waxwing Nesting (Behavior, Eggs + Location)

Last updated: 7 November 2022

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Nest Location
Nest Appearance
Nest Construction
Cedar Waxwing Eggs
Fledgling and Parental Care

The Cedar Waxwing ( Bombycilla cedrorum ) is one of three species in the Bombycillidae family. This distinctly American species is a widespread nomad and partial migrant, occurring from the Yukon province in Central Canada in the summer to the south of Central America in the winter.

Birdwatchers from the northern half of the USA can see these beautiful birds at any time of the year, but have you ever wondered where and when they nest?

Cedar Waxwings breed in the height of summer and even into the fall. Their late breeding season is probably related to their diet . Nesting, incubating, brooding, and feeding chicks all take energy, so they wait for the height of summer to capitalize on a ready supply of fruits and berries.

Cedar Waxwings build a rather tall, cup-shaped nest in trees and large shrubs. The pair forms in mid-spring and are monogamous for the nesting season, usually staying together for a second brood. Their nests are built in trees and shrubs, usually a little out of reach for most people, and the female lays four or five eggs per clutch.

This article covers the nesting habits of the Cedar Waxwing, a nomadic American fruit eater with a late nesting season.

Close up of a Cedar Waxwings nest, with approx 10 day old chicks

Cedar Waxwings are true nomads. These social birds are not particularly territorial when nesting so you might find several nests in the same general vicinity. Keep reading to learn more about where Cedar Waxwings build their nests.

Where do Cedar Waxwings nest?

Cedar Waxwings prefer open woodland or isolated patches of trees in open areas. They also nest in human-altered environments like pine plantations and orchards.

Do Cedar Waxwings nest in the same place every year?

Cedar Waxwings are highly nomadic birds. Their movements are determined by the availability of the fruits they eat. They can be quite irregular and do not necessarily return to the same areas to nest.

Do Cedar Waxwings nest in backyards?

Cedar Waxwings do not usually nest in backyards, although they could nest just about anywhere with suitable habitat.

Adult Cedar Waxwing feeding recently fledged chicks

Do Cedar Waxwings use nest boxes?

Cedar Waxwings do not use nest boxes. They construct their nests in the fork of horizontal branches or occasionally across the top of a wide and level limb.

What trees do Cedar Waxwings nest in?

Cedar Waxwings nest in various tree and shrub species, including fruiting species and conifers. They often nest in the following tree species:

How high are Cedar Waxwing nests?

Cedar Waxwings usually nest about ten feet (3 m) above the ground, although their nests have been found in trees up to 50 feet (15.2 m) and as low as 3.6 feet (1.1 m).

Cedar Waxwings prefer building their nests in open woodland

Cedar Waxwings build somewhat untidy and bulky nests with neat, bowl-shaped interiors. Continue reading to learn more about their appearance.

What do Cedar Waxwing nests look like?

Cedar Waxwings build relatively deep, cup-shaped nests that can be as tall as they are wide. Their nests are made from a variety of plant matter but often include other materials like string and spider silk.

How big are Cedar Waxwing nests?

Cedar Waxwings nests are quite variable in size. Most nests are within the following size range:

Height: 2.7 - 4.5 inches (68 - 114mm)
Outside diameter: Usually 4.5 - 6 inches (114 - 152 mm)
Inside diameter: 2.5 - 3.3 inches (65 - 83mm)
Depth: About 1 - 1.75 inches (24 - 45 mm)

Close up of Cedar Waxwing courtship feeding

Cedar Waxwings nest relatively late in the season compared with other American songbirds. Pair formation and courtship may begin in mid-spring, but nesting may be completed well into the fall. Read on to learn more about the timing of Cedar Waxwing nesting.

What time of year do Cedar Waxwings nest?

Cedar Waxwings start nesting in the mid-summer when food is most abundant. Nest construction usually begins in June, often towards the end of the month.

How long do Cedar Waxwings nest for?

Cedar Waxwings can complete each nesting cycle in about 38 days. This short time frame allows them to have more than one brood even though they begin nesting much later than other birds.

Cedar Waxwing nesting timeline:

Nest construction: 3 - 9 days (Average 5 days)
Egg laying: 2 - 6 days (Average 5 days)
Incubation: 11 - 13 days (Average 12 days)
Fledging: 14 - 18 days (Average 15 days)

What month do Cedar Waxwings lay eggs?

Female Cedar Waxwings usually lay their first clutch of eggs after the second week in June. They can lay their eggs slightly earlier in the south of their breeding range, sometimes in the last week of May. Successful pairs will produce a second clutch in July or August.

Where do Cedar Waxwings nest in the winter?

Cedar Waxwings finish breeding before the start of winter. These birds migrate south in the winter, with some flocks traveling as far as the North of South America on their fall migration.

A group of hungry Cedar Waxwing fledglings waiting to be fed by their parent

Cedar Waxwings usually build a new nest for each brood, although some pairs will modify old nests or those of other bird species. Both male and female Cedar Waxwings scout for a nest site, although the female tends to have the final say.

Continue reading to learn more about Waxwing nest Construction.

How do Cedar Waxwings build their nests?

Female Cedar Waxwings build their nests around themselves. They turn around within the nest while rocking back and forth to maintain a comfortable bowl shape. They weave in the nesting material by reaching over the edge and pushing it in with their bills.

The building process usually takes five or six days, although it can take up to nine days in some cases. However, Cedar Waxwings can complete a nest in just one day in a captive setting where food and nesting materials are easy to find.

What do Cedar Waxwings use for nesting?

Cedar Waxwings build their nests from a wide variety of natural and artificial materials that they find near the nest site. They will also take nesting materials from the nests (new or old) of other Waxwings and many other bird species.

These birds use finer materials to line the inner cup of the nest and create a more comfortable and insulated environment for the eggs and chicks.

Cedar Waxwings use the following materials to build their nests:

Bark strips
Spider webs

Do male or female Cedar Waxwings build the nest?

Both male and female Cedar Waxwings collect nesting materials, although the females do most of the actual building on the first nest. Males become more involved during the construction of the second nest and tend to do more work than females.

A breeding pair of Cedar Waxwings working together to collect string for the nest

What do Cedar Waxwing eggs look like?

Cedar Waxwing eggs measure about 0.86 inches (22 mm) long and 0.6 inches (15.6 mm) across. The attractive, spotted eggs have a pale blue-gray ground color and grey or black speckles.

How many eggs do Cedar Waxwings lay?

Cedar Waxwings usually lay four or five eggs per clutch, although two to six eggs have been recorded.

Do male Cedar Waxwings sit on eggs?

Male Cedar Waxwings do not incubate the eggs. They tend to perch above the nest while the female is sitting on the eggs to look out for predators. They also bring food to their partner while she is incubating.

Cedar Waxwing gathering fluff for the nest

Baby Cedar Waxwings hatch naked, blind, and helpless. The young birds develop quickly on a diet of insects and fruits and reach their adult weight within two weeks. Keep reading to learn more about baby Cedar Waxwings.

When do baby Cedar Waxwings leave the nest?

Cedar Waxwings usually fledge the nest between fourteen and eighteen days after hatching. Their plumage is almost fully developed at this age - only their flight feathers have not reached full length.

The parents will continue to feed their chicks for six to ten days after leaving the nest. The male will feed the young birds on his own if his partner is incubating the next clutch of eggs.

How many broods do Cedar Waxwings have?

Cedar Waxwings may have a second brood, often before the first chicks have fledged the nest. The pair will resume their courtship when the first brood is about a week old and build a new nest before laying the second clutch of eggs.

Adult Cedar Waxwing feeding fledgling on a branch

Do Cedar Waxwings abandon their nests?

Cedar Waxwings will abandon a nest quite readily if disturbed during its construction phase. However, they will not be quick to desert their nest if they have eggs or chicks.

Do Cedar Waxwings nest on the ground?

Cedar Waxwings do not build their nests on the ground. Most nests are built about ten feet (3 m) above the ground in small trees or large shrubs.

Where do Cedar Waxwings nest at night?

Cedar Waxwings are unlikely to sleep in a nest when not incubating their eggs or brooding their chicks. They probably roost in trees and shrubs during the night.

Young Cedar Waxwing perched on a leafy branch

How to attract nesting Cedar Waxwings?

It is difficult to reliably attract nesting Cedar Waxwings because of their nomadic lifestyle. The best way to attract these birds is to grow native fruiting plants like serviceberry and holly. Additionally, providing a clean source of fresh water for drinking and bathing will attract Waxwings and many other bird species.

Can you move a Cedar Waxwing nest?

Cedar Waxwings are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. It is best to allow them to finish breeding before moving their nest because disturbing them is illegal.

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How to Attract 32 Minnesota Birds to Your Feeders (With Photos)

Looking for a quick reference guide on attracting the birds of Minnesota to your feeders? Look no further!

Below I’ve listed (in alphabetical order) birds you can attract in Minnesota, their preferred food, and the top bird feeder options. I’ve also provided tidbits based on my experience and some of my top food and feeder picks for birds I’ve had success with.

Disclaimer : Some links found on this page might be Amazon affiliate links. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, I might earn a commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Before diving into the specific birds, here are a handful of universal things you can do to increase your chances of bringing birds to your yard before you even hang up a feeder.

Provide water (especially a heated bird bath in the winter)
Avoid using pesticides
Have trees and shrubbery nearby
Plant native plants in your yard
Keep your cats indoors
Clean your bird feeders every few weeks to prevent disease from spreading

Bird Feeder References (links to examples on Amazon)

Large tube feeder

Small tube feeder

Hopper feeder

Platform feeder

Nectar feeder

Fruit feeder

Suet Cage Feeder (small)

Suet Log Feeder (my favorite – find this at a Wild Bird Store in the Twin Cities metro!)

Bird Feed References (links to examples)

Black Oil Sunflower Seed

Safflower Seed

Mealworms (dried – check out your local bird store for live mealworms!)

Peanut bits

Sunflower hearts (no shell or mess)

Authors note: I’ll be skipping birds of prey, rare and nuisance birds like Cowbirds, House Sparrows, Grackles, etc. in this article .

American Goldfinch

What Time of Year?

Year-round in Southern Minnesota. In the summer in Northern Minnesota.

What’s the Best Bird Seed for Goldfinches?

Sunflower chips (my top choice) and nyjer seed

My Top Online Bird Seed Recommendation for Goldfinches :

Valley Farms Sunflower Hearts Wild Bird Food – 15 lbs

What kind of bird feeder suits them?

Just about any kind, but tube feeders are best. You can also use a sock feeder filled with nyjer seed for Goldfinches.

Other tips?

If you have the means to do so, plant native thistle plants as an organic way to attract Goldfinches to your yard!

Related: 4 Tips for Attracting American Goldfinches to your Yard

The Range of American Goldfinch

Orange – Summer Breeding Range, Purple – Year-Round Range, Blue – Winter Range

American Robin

Year-round (more common in the spring through fall), everywhere in Minnesota.

What’s the Best Food for Robins?

Fruits (apples, oranges, berries, raisins), mealworms

What’s the Best Bird Feeder for Robins?

Food on the ground or a large platform feeder

I haven’t had luck bringing a robin directly to my feeders. However, they’re familiar visitors in the surrounding area looking for worms and berries in trees. So, try putting out diced fruit like apples in the springtime and you can get lucky.

Baltimore Oriole

The spring and summer everywhere in Minnesota.

What Should You Feed Baltimore Orioles?

Grape jelly (top pick), BirdBerry Jelly , oranges, hummingbird nectar, suet (sometimes – they have orange flavors of suet specifically for orioles, but I’ve never had luck with this). Baltimore Orioles will prefer eating mealworms later in the summer during their nesting season.

What’s the Best Bird Feeder for Baltimore Orioles?

A specialty orange/jelly feeder, nectar feeder

My Top Feeder Pick For Baltimore Orioles:

Flower Oriole Bird Feeder

Other tidbits :

Baltimore Orioles arrive from their migration in southern/central Minnesota in late-April or May, which is the best time to have one visit your feeder. However, if they set up a nest nearby, they can visit your feeder through August. I’d recommend having grape jelly out through the spring and then having mealworms through the summer.

The Range of Baltimore Orioles:

Red – Wintering Range, Blue – Breeding Season (Spring until Fall) Image Credit: Cephas, Wikipedia

Related: How to get Baltimore Orioles Visiting Your Bird Feeder

Black-Capped Chickadee

Year-round (everywhere in Minnesota).

What Kind of Food Do Chickadees Like?

Nearly everything! They’re the least picky bird I have at my feeders: Sunflower seeds, safflower seed, suet, mealworms (my Chickadee visitors love these).

My Top Amazon Bird Seed Recommendation for Chickadees :

Kaytee Mealworm Food Pouch

What’s the Best Bird Feeder for Chickadees?

Nearly any feeder. Chickadees aren’t picky!

Check out my deeper dive on attracting chickadees here

Purple – Year-Round Range of Blue Jays, Blue – Non-Breeding Range

What Should You Feed Blue Jays?

Peanuts in the shell (best bet), peanut bits, suet, sunflower seeds, corn.

My Top Amazon Bird Seed Recommendation for Blue Jays :

Premium Peanuts In Shell – Wild Bird – Wildlife Food

What’s the Best Bird Feeder for Blue Jays?

Blue Jays need a sturdy hopper or platform feeder with a lot of room to support their weight. They’re a larger feeder bird.

Attract Blue Jays with peanuts on a sturdy platform feeder, or simply serve them on the ground (beware as this will also certainly attract squirrels and chipmunks – not that I would know…). I feel Blue Jays get an unfair reputation as a bully bird at feeders. I love them! They bring a lot of boisterous energy to my feeding station.

This is just in my experience, but I tend to get the most Blue Jays visiting in the fall.

Related Content: How to Attract Blue Jays to Your Bird Feeder

Cedar Waxwing

Year-round (in Southern-half of Minnesota). During the summer in Northern Minnesota.

The Range of Cedar Waxwings: Yellow – Summer Only Range, Green – Year-Round, Blue – Winter Range

What Kind of Food do Cedar Waxwings Like?

Fruit! Your best bet is to have a native tree or shrub in your yard with small berries (dogwood, cedar, winterberry, etc.).

What Kind of Bird Feeder Suits Them?

Cedar Waxwings rarely visit feeders but are known to visit bird baths in flocks. You may also have luck with a bird seed mix that has dried fruit in it.

Chipping Sparrow

Spring and summer. Check the orange in the range map below for their migration range!

What’s the Best Bird Seed for Chipping Sparrows?

Millet (top choice), sunflower seeds, cracked corn

My Top Amazon Bird Seed Recommendation for Sparrows :

Backyard White Millet

What’s the Best Bird Feeder for Chipping Sparrows?

Just about anything

Mix in some millet into your sunflower seeds to attract native sparrows in the spring. I’ve had Chipping Sparrows arrive at my feeders by late-March!

Common Redpoll

Winter (much more common in Northern Minnesota). Here’s a link to their range map from Cornell.

What’s the Best Bird Seed for Redpolls?

They particularly like Nyjer seed and also sunflower chips

My Top Amazon Bird Seed Recommendation for Redpolls :

Wild Delight Special Finch Food

What’s the Best Bird Feeder for Redpolls?

A tube feeder is best (but any feeder will likely work)

Common Redpolls are an erratic migrating bird from Canada. You may see large groups some winters and none in other years. It depends on their food supply and migration route.

Dark-Eyed Junco

Fall through spring (Summertime in northernmost Minnesota). Dark Eyed Juncos typically arrive in the Twin Cities metro in October and stay until April.

What’s the Best Bird Seed for Juncos?

White millet (best bet), hulled sunflower seed, cracked corn, peanut hearts.

My Top Amazon Bird Seed Recommendation for Juncos :

What Kind of Bird Feeder is Best for Juncos?

A ground feeder (seed knocked down from hanging feeders will also work).

A sure sign that winter is coming, Dark-Eyed Juncos start appearing during October in the Twin Cities metro.

The Range of Dark Eyed Juncos

Yellow – Summer Breeding Range, Green – Year-Round Range, Blue – Wintering Non-Breeding Range

Downy Woodpeckers

Year-round (everywhere and abundant in Minnesota).

What Kind of Food do Downy Woodpeckers Like?

Suet (top choice – especially peanut flavored), will also eat sunflower seeds on occasion

What’s the Best Bird Feeder for Downy Woodpeckers?

Suet feeders of all types (they aren’t picky).

My Top Amazon Bird Feeder Pick For Downy and Hair Woodpeckers:

Wildlife Sciences Suet Plug Feeder

Once you attract a Downy Woodpecker to your feeders, they’ll likely be back every single day. I’ve had a pair of Downy Woodpeckers visiting my feeders for about a year now. They show up like clockwork.

Eastern Bluebird

Late-spring and summer (rarely in the winter).

Yellow – Summer Breeding Range, Green – Year-Round Range, Purple – Wintering Range Credit: rbrausse, Wikipedia

What’s the Best Food for Bluebirds?

Live mealworms

What’s the Best Bird Feeder for Bluebirds?

A platform or ground feeder.

Getting live mealworms and putting them in a cup or sturdy feeder is your best bet to draw one of these awesome birds. Eastern Bluebirds also love to live in nest boxes if you have space. You’ll probably have the best luck with that approach if you live in a more remote area.

Evening Grosbeak

In northeast Minnesota: Year-round

In central Minnesota: Winter

What’s the Best Food for Evening Grosbeaks?

Sunflower seeds

What’s the Best Bird Feeder for Evening Grosbeaks?

A hopper or platform feeder (they are heavy finches)

Irregular migrants and not likely to visit your feeders consistently every year. If they do, they will often appear in large flocks and eat a lot of sunflower seeds (not a bad problem to have. These birds look awesome!).

Green – Year-round Range, Yellow – Wintering Range Credit – Wikipedia Commons

Hairy Woodpeckers

Year-round everywhere in Minnesota.

What Kind of Food do Hairy Woodpeckers Like?

Suet (top choice – especially peanut flavored), will also eat sunflower seeds

What’s the Best Bird Feeder for Hairy Woodpeckers ?

Suet feeders of all types. I have Hairy Woodpeckers who visit my suet log feeder .

If you have dead trees in your yard, consider leaving them for Hairy Woodpeckers to nest in!

House Finch

What’s the Best Bird Seed for House Finches?

Sunflower seed (top choice), safflower seed, nyjer seed

My Top Amazon Bird Seed Recommendation for House Finches :

Meadow Ridge Farms Black Oil Sunflower Seed

What’s the Best Bird Feeder for House Finches?

House finches are often the first birds to find a new feeder (they were my first birds to visit). I’ve randomly found that they also go bananas for grape jelly in my Oriole feeder during the spring.

Range of House Finches

Green : Year-Round Range, Yellow : Breeding Range Image Credit: Cephas, Wikipedia

Indigo Bunting

Late-Spring/Summer everywhere in Minnesota

What’s the Best Bird Seed for Indigo Bunting?

White millet (best choice), hulled sunflower seed, nyjer seed

What’s the Best Bird Feeder for Indigo Bunting?

They enjoy eating from the ground, or on small tube feeders

This can be a challenging bird to attract (at least it has been for me). Your best bet is to have your feeders stocked in the spring with white millet and catch them during their migration.

Range of Indigo Bunting

Yellow : Summer Range, Green : Migrating Range, Blue : Winter Range Image Credit: Wikipedia Commons

Mourning Dove

Year-round in southern Minnesota. Spring/summer in Northern Minnesota.

What’s the Best Bird Seed for Mourning Doves?

White millet (best choice), sunflower seeds, corn

My Top Amazon Bird Seed Recommendation for Mourning Doves :

A large platform or ground feeder

Unless you have a large and steady platform feeder, sprinkling millet on the ground is perfect for Mourning Doves. They’re big birds and need a sturdy place to sit.

Orange : Summer Breeding Range, Purple : Year-Round Range, Blue : Non Breeding Winter Range – Image Source: Wikipedia Creative Commons

Northern Cardinal

Year-round in Southern and Central Minnesota

What’s the Best Bird Seed for Cardinals?

Sunflower seeds (top choice – black oil sunflower), safflower seed, millet, peanuts. There are Cardinal bird seed blends with both sunflower and safflower seeds.

My Top Amazon Bird Seed Recommendation for Cardinals :

What’s the Best Bird Feeder for Cardinals?

A large platform or ground feeder are the best bird feeders for Cardinals. They will visit most feeders as long as they can support their weight. Cardinals are larger songbirds (7 to 9 inches long).

Have your feeders in a quiet spot with bushes or trees nearby. Cardinals are shy birds and will want to scout out feeders and have a safe place to hide if they feel threatened. In the winter, when they aren’t competing for mates, you have a good chance of attracting several Cardinals at sunrise and sunset.

For more detail, check out my story with 5+ tips for attracting Cardinals to your yard!

Range of Northern Cardinals

Year-Round Range of Northern Cardinals Source: Wikipedia Commons

Northern Flicker

Year-round everywhere in Minnesota

What kind of food do Northern Flickers like?

A rare visitor to feeders (but often use bird baths). Will eat sunflowers, peanuts and suet on occasion

What’s the Best Bird Feeder for Northern Flickers?

A suet or ground feeder

Northern Flickers will use large nest boxes if you have space for one in your yard.

Range of Northern Flickers

Orange : Breeding, Purple : Year-Round, Blue : Non-Breeding

Pileated Woodpecker

Year-round (in most of Minnesota).

What’s the Best Food for Pileated Woodpeckers?

Suet (top choice)

What’s the Best Bird Feeder for Pileated Woodpeckers?

A large suet cage or platform.

Pileated Woodpeckers are HUGE. So, you’ll want to get a suet feeder that’s big enough to support them. Some suet feeders come with large platforms underneath , giving the bird room to balance using its tail.

The Range of Pileated Woodpeckers

Pine Grosbeak

Winter in Northern Minnesota.

What’s the Best Bird Seed for Pine Grosbeaks?

Sunflower seeds (best choice) and suet

What’s the Best Bird Feeder for Pine Grosbeaks?

Large tube, platform and hopper feeders

According to The Cornell Bird Lab , Pine Grosbeaks may also be seen eating grit near roads by forests.

Pine Siskin

Winter (Central and Southern Minnesota) Year round in northeast Minnesota

What’s the Best Bird Seed for Pine Siskins?

Nyjer seed, hulled sunflower seeds, suet (maybe)

My Top Amazon Bird Seed Recommendation for Pine Siskins :

What’s the Best Bird Feeder for Pine Siskins?

Nearly anything! The Pine Siskin that visits me often loves the large tube feeder I have with a finch blend.

This is another erratic bird based off its food supply and migration. The Cornell Bird Lab says: “Flocks of tiny Pine Siskins may monopolize your thistle feeder one winter and be absent the next.”

The Range of Pine Siskins

Purple : Year-Round, Blue : Winter, Orange : Summer Source: Cephas, Wikipedia

Purple Finch

Winter (southeast Minnesota) and spring/summer in northern Minnesota.

What’s the Best Bird Seed for Purple Finches?

Sunflower seed (top choice), safflower seed, nyjer

What’s the Best Bird Feeder for Purple Finches?

Just about anything.

Other tidbits?

Purple Finches are more rare than the similar looking House Finches. Male Purple Finches have a red cap versus a brown cap for House Finches.

The Range of Purple Finches

Pink : Summer, Orange : Winter, Green : Year-Round

Red Bellied Woodpecker

What’s the Best Food for Red Bellied Woodpeckers?

Suet (best choice), sunflower seeds, peanuts

What’s the Best Bird Feeder for Red Bellied Woodpeckers?

A sturdy suet feeder or platform feeder.

You’ll have luck attracting a Red Bellied Woodpecker if you live near any sort of wooded area and offer a suet feeder. Also, they’re fond of sunflower seeds on occasion, and will also taste hummingbird nectar in the summer.

Red Breasted Nuthatch

Winter in the southern half of Minnesota. Summer in the northern half

What’s the Best Food for Red Breasted Nuthatches?

Peanuts, suet and sunflower seeds

What’s the Best Bird Feeder for Red Breasted Nuthatches?

Almost anything

Offer an assortment of seeds on a variety of feeders to attract nuthatches. They will often sample several seeds before picking their favorite and fly off.

The Range of Red Breasted Nuthatches

Purple : Year-Round, Blue : Non-breeding Credit: Cephas, Wikipedia

Rose Breasted Grosbeak

Everywhere in Minnesota during the spring and summer

What’s the Best Bird Seed for Rose Breasted Grosbeaks?

Sunflower (top choice), safflower

What’s the Best Bird Feeder for Rose Breasted Grosbeaks?

A large platform, hopper or tube feeder

They’re likely to visit feeders in the late spring during migration when they need extra energy. Have native berry plants and shrubs in your yard for another chance to attract these birds.

The Range of Rose-Breasted Grosbeak

Yellow : Breeding-Range, Orange : Migration-Only, Blue : Winter-Range

A map showcasing the range of the Red Breasted Grosbeak bird in North America.

Ruby Throated Hummingbird

May through mid-October, everywhere in Minnesota.

What’s the Best Food for Hummingbirds?

Nectar, flowers in your yard. You can easily make your own hummingbird nectar from home by combining four parts water with one part table sugar.

IMPORTANT: You must completely clean out your hummingbird feeders every other day at minimum. Clean them every day if it’s hot outside or if the feeders are in direct sunlight. The nectar easily starts growing bacteria and mold. This can harm or kill the hummingbird if you aren’t diligent!

What’s the Best Bird Feeder for Hummingbirds?

A nectar hummingbird feeder that has the color red or yellow. Both of those colors attract hummingbirds! I tend to pick red-colored feeders because yellow can also attract bees.

Here’s a link to a roundup of some of the best hummingbird feeders you can find online.

I’ve had luck attracting hummingbirds by hanging up a native flower plant in the summer.

Related: How to Attract Hummingbirds to a Feeder in Just Three Steps

Range Map for Ruby Throated Hummingbirds

Orange : Summer, Yellow : Migration-Only, Blue : Winter-Range

Scarlet Tanager

What’s The Best Food for Scarlet Tanagers?

Suet, mealworms, oranges, raisins

What’s the Best Bird Feeder for Scarlet Tanagers?

Fruit, suet or platform feeder

I haven’t been fortunate to have had a Scarlet Tanager visit my feeders. I’m told that you have the best shot at spotting one before or after storms in the late spring. So, have your feeders stocked with a variety of suet and fruit. Good luck!

The Range Map For Scarlet Tanager

Song Sparrows

Year-round in Southern Minnesota. During the spring through fall for the rest of the state. Check the range map below! Purple is their year-round range and orange is their migration range. I live in the Twin Cities area and don’t usually see Song Sparrows in the winter.

What’s the Best Bird Seed for Song Sparrows?

My Top Amazon Bird Seed Recommendation for Song Sparrows :

What’s the Best Bird Feeder for Song Sparrows?

Song Sparrows usually eat seed straight from the ground. A ground feeder will also appeal to them.

Song Sparrows are surprisingly aggressive at my feeders! They usually chase away House Sparrows and other song birds to get at the seed on the ground.

Tufted Titmouse

What time of year?

Year-round (on the southeastern tip of Minnesota)

What’s the Best Food for Titmice?

Sunflower (top choice), suet, peanuts, safflower seeds

What’s the Best Bird Feeder for Titmice?

You’re lucky if you happen to live in the limited area in Minnesota (the southwest) where they visit! Although, they will wander further north into the state on rare occasions.

White Breasted Nuthatch

Year-round (everywhere in Minnesota)

What’s the Best Bird Seed for White Breasted Nuthatches?

Peanut bits (top choice), sunflower, suet, safflower

My Top Amazon Bird Seed Recommendation for White Breasted Nuthatch :

Lyric Peanut Pieces Wild Bird Food

A common year-round visitor for me. Listen for their nasal call – I’ll often hear a nuthatch before it arrives on my feeders. Also, they’re acrobatic and will hang upside down on feeders.

White-Throated Sparrow

Year-round in Northeastern Minnesota. You can see in the range map below that you can also spot White Throated Sparrows during the winter and spring migration in different areas of the state.

What’s the Best Bird Seed for White-Throated Sparrows?

My Top Amazon Bird Seed Recommendation for White-Throated Sparrows :

What’s the Best Bird Feeder for White-Throate d Sparrows?

White-Throated Sparrows usually eat seed straight from the ground. A ground feeder will also appeal to them.

Listen for their calls! I love the whistle sound of White-Throated Sparrows during the winter.

Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker

Spring – Summer (everywhere in Minnesota)

What’s the Best food for Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers?

What’s the Best Bird Feeder for Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers?

A suet feeder

Rarely visit feeders but may drop by for some suet on occasion. As their name suggests, most of their diet is sap from maple or birch trees.

Related: The Definitive Bird Seed Power Rankings

Sources: The Cornell Bird Lab , The National Audubon Society , Birds of Minnesota Field Guide and a hefty dose of my firsthand experience.

Other State Bird Feeding Guides

I’m slowly building up my state by state bird feeding guides. If you’re looking for how to attract birds in different states, here are the other states I’ve completed below!

Alaska Bird Feeding Guide
Arkansas Bird Feeding Guide
Iowa Bird Feeding Guide
Connecticut Bird Feeding Guide
Illinois Bird Feeding Guide
Indiana Bird Feeding Guide
Kansas Bird Feeding Guide
Kentucky Bird Feeding Guide
Louisiana Bird Feeding Guide
Maine Bird Feeding Guide
Massachusetts Bird Feeding Guide
Michigan Bird Feeding Guide
Missouri Bird Feeding Guide
Nebraska Bird Feeding Guide
New Jersey Bird Feeding Guide
New Hampshire Bird Feeding Guide
New York Bird Feeding Guide
North Dakota Bird Feeding Guide
Ohio Bird Feeding Guide
Oklahoma Bird Feeding Guide
Pennsylvania Bird Feeding Guide
Rhode Island Bird Feeding Guide
South Dakota Bird Feeding Guide
Texas Bird Feeding Guide
Vermont Bird Feeding Guide
West Virginia Bird Feeding Guide
Wisconsin Bird Feeding Guide

Cedar Waxwing

Brown, black and yellow bird stands on a fence

Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) eat berries, insects and fruit. We see them in this region this time every year, on their way to and from their breeding range. Cedar Waxwing's coloring, especially the bright red/orange wing tips, is made possible by pigments in berries in the bird's diet.

Brown, black & yellow bird stands on a fence

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HAVE CEDAR WAXWINGS EVER FED AT YOUR FEEDERS?
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COMMENTS

How to Attract Cedar Waxwings: 3 Secrets to Lure Them In
Three Secret Ways to Attract Cedar Waxwings to Your Yard. 1. Plant fruit-bearing trees and shrubs. An apple tree. Photo by Anastasiya Romanova on Unsplash. Attract cedar waxwings by planting fruit trees and shrubs in and around your yard.
How to Attract Cedar Waxwings (Food, Water & Nesting Needs)
Besides food, having a water source available is crucial for attracting cedar waxwings 3. Birds love water not only for drinking but also for preening and bathing. A birdbath or a small pond in your yard can be an excellent way to provide water. Make sure to keep them clean, well-maintained, and filled throughout the year, as cedar waxwings ...
How do you attract Cedar Waxwings to a feeder?
Provide Water. Cedar waxwings will drink and bathe in bird baths, so providing a reliable, clean water source can further attract these birds. Choose a bath style and location that minimizes freezing in winter. Options include: Placing baths in sunny spots to maximize warmth. Choosing heated birdbath models.
The Ultimate Guide to Attracting Cedar Waxwings to Your Yard
Provide a variety of native fruits, such as berries and cherries, to attract Cedar Waxwings. Create a welcoming habitat with suitable trees and shrubs for nesting and roosting. Install a birdbath or shallow dish for water, as Cedar Waxwings are attracted to both food and water sources. Minimize pesticide use in your yard to maintain a healthy ...
How to Attract Cedar Waxwings to Your Backyard
Attracting Cedar Waxwings, Step by Step. Create a forest edge. If you live in the cedar waxwing's summer range, put up a birdhouse. Put out the materials cedar waxwings can use to build their nests. Feeding your cedar waxwings. Water for Cedar Waxwings.
How to Attract Waxwings to Your Backyard with a Cedar Waxwing Habitat
Waxwings don't migrate in many areas. Instead, they move nomadically throughout the year in search of fruit. Hang up a feeder. Waxwings can be reluctant to visit backyard bird feeders and they're more likely to drop into gardens with berry-producing shrubs. However, waxwings will occasionally stop by tray or platform feeders if they're filled with the right cedar waxing bird food.
Cedar Waxwing Overview, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
To attract waxwings to your yard, plant native trees and shrubs that bear small fruits, such as dogwood, serviceberry, cedar, juniper, hawthorn, and winterberry. This species often comes backyards if food is offered. Find out more about what this bird likes to eat and what feeder is best by using the Project FeederWatch Common Feeder Birds bird ...
What Do Cedar Waxwings Eat? (Complete Guide)
Cedar waxwings do not visit feeders often. However, they can be enticed to open platform feeders filled with an assortment of fresh fruit and berries. Do cedar waxwings eat oranges? Cedar waxwings will eat oranges. You can offer them as slices or halves. Do cedar waxwings eat suet?
Have Cedar Waxwings Ever Fed at Your Feeders?
Feb. Like many of you, I try to attract as many different species of birds to my feeders as possible. However, in spite of repeated efforts, I have yet to see a cedar waxwing dine at my feeders. It is often said that coming close only counts when you play horseshoes. If that is the case, several years ago when a cedar waxing visited a birdbath ...
How To Attract Cedar Waxwings To Your Yard (6 Tips)
Here are the best ways to attract them to your property! 1. Plant Berry Bushes For Cedar Waxwings. Cedar waxwings love fruit. About 80% of their diet is made up of various berries, including American holly, juniper, elderberry, mountain ash, honeysuckle, and serviceberry. When planning what to plant in your yard, aim for a mix of bushes and ...
How to Attract Cedar Waxwings
However, if you want to learn how to attract cedar waxwings to a feeder, using the correct type of bird feeder while filling the right bird food that they like is a must. Cedar waxwings will come in large and open tray feeders. The most suitable type of bird feeder that you can use is a platform bird feeder or a tray feeder.
Cedar Waxwing
They have gray tails with bright yellow tips and pale yellow bellies. Cedar Waxwings have narrow black masks that are cleanly outlined with white. They have red waxy tips on their wing feathers, which can be hard to see. Cedar Waxwings are 5.5 to 6.7 inches (14 to 17 centimeters) long and weigh 1.1 ounces (32 grams).
BIRD OF THE WEEK: THE CEDAR WAXWING
Cedar waxwings are about 6-7 inches long and weigh around 1 oz - the same weight as a pencil or a slice of bread. They are slightly smaller than the Bohemian waxwing, their close relative. Easy on the eyes, these songbirds are covered in a brownish-grey sheen, sport a black mask and a flat crest that stands up like a feathered tiara.
What Do Cedar Waxwings Eat and How to Attract Them
Sambucus, Zones 3 to 9. The fragrant white flowers add a bit of aromatherapy to the garden, while the fruit attracts the birds. Include elderberries in your shrub plantings and perennial gardens, or use this suckering plant to help stabilize slopes and riverbanks. Regular pruning will keep it looking its best.
How To Attract Cedar Waxwings And What To Feed Them
http://coleswildbird.com/Learn how to attract Cedar Waxwings.Visit http://coleswildbird.com/ for the best bird seed and bird feeding products.We live stream ...
Do waxwings come to feeders?
Since waxwings primarily eat fruit, many people wonder if they will visit backyard fruit feeders. The short answer is maybe, but waxwings only occasionally come to fruit feeders under the right circumstances. Keep reading to learn more about waxwing habits, diet, and how to attract them to your yard.
10 Ideas for How to Attract Cedar Waxwings with Berries
Set up a tray feeder with various fruit and berries and freeze-dried berries. Cedar waxwings do not eat suet, so instead, offer them a variety of berries on a platform feeder to give them an extra energy source. Offering Nesting Materials and Support. Cedar Waxwings look for nesting materials and locations that provide safety.
Cedar Waxwing Habits of Nesting, Feeding, and Intoxication
The Cedar Waxwing is a here today gone tomorrow type of bird. A flock of these birds may descend on a fruiting crab apple tree, passing ripe fruit from one bird to the other. This cooperative feeding is worth watching as the waxwings make their high-pitched calls the whole time. When the fruit is gone, so are the birds. Watch them while you can.
How to Attract Waxwings
Place the bird bath in a bright, sunny area so it can catch the attention of passing waxwings. Consider adding a dripper, bubbler, or wiggler for extra motion to make the bath more noticeable. In winter, a heated bird bath is essential so waxwings can find liquid water even during the most frigid cold snaps.
Cedar Waxwings
Although bird feeders hold no attraction for them, Cedar Waxwings may come to visit your winter yard if you have any plants that bear fruits or berries. Many birds will eat fruit when it is available, but the so-called "cherry bird" is a fruit specialist, and a berry-laden bush can be an irresistible lure to a flock of waxwings in the ...
Cedar Waxwing
Description. Cedar waxwings are named for the waxy red tips on their secondary wing feathers, but the purpose of the waxy secretions is unknown. These crested birds have pale yellow to lemon-colored bellies and a matching band of yellow at the tip of their square tail. A black mask edged in white extends from its beak and surrounds its eyes.
Cedar Waxwing Nesting (Behavior, Eggs + Location)
Cedar Waxwings can complete each nesting cycle in about 38 days. This short time frame allows them to have more than one brood even though they begin nesting much later than other birds. Cedar Waxwing nesting timeline: Nest construction: 3 - 9 days (Average 5 days) Egg laying: 2 - 6 days (Average 5 days)
How to Attract 32 Minnesota Birds to Your Feeders (With Photos)
Cedar Waxwings rarely visit feeders but are known to visit bird baths in flocks. You may also have luck with a bird seed mix that has dried fruit in it. Chipping Sparrow A Chipping Sparrow visiting my "chair" platform feeder in the early spring. What Time of Year? Spring and summer. Check the orange in the range map below for their ...
Cedar Waxwing
Mar 10, 2022. Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) eat berries, insects and fruit. We see them in this region this time every year, on their way to and from their breeding range. Cedar Waxwing's coloring, especially the bright red/orange wing tips, is made possible by pigments in berries in the bird's diet. Image Details.

How to Attract Cedar Waxwings: 3 Secrets to Lure Them In

Where Cedar Waxwings are Found

What do Cedar Waxwings Look Like?

Where do Cedar Waxwings Live?

What do Cedar Waxwings Eat?

Why do Cedar Waxwings get drunk?

What do Cedar Waxwings Sound Like?

Mating, Nesting, Eggs & Fledgling

Three Secret Ways to Attract Cedar Waxwings to Your Yard

2. Have water available

3. Offer food they prefer in your feeder

Do Cedar Waxwings visit the feeder?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the scientific name for cedar waxwing?

What is the difference between a cedar waxwing and a Bohemian Waxwing?

Privacy Overview

How to Attract Cedar Waxwings (Food, Water & Nesting Needs)

Attracting Cedar Waxwings: Essentials

Water Sources

Nesting Opportunities

Creating a Suitable Habitat

Choose the Right Trees and Shrubs

Support Insects in Your Yard

Maintaining a Safe Environment

Best Plants for Cedar Waxwings

Serviceberry

Mountain Ash

Winterberry

Honeysuckle

Cedar Waxwing Behavior and Traits

Physical Appearance

Courtship and Breeding

Migration Patterns

Enhancing Waxwing Attraction

Supplemental Feeders

Monitoring and Supporting Nesting Habits

Frequently Asked Questions

Which bird feeders are most suited for attracting Cedar Waxwings?

How can I create the ideal habitat for Cedar Waxwings in my yard?

What time of year are Cedar Waxwings most active?

Do Cedar Waxwings prefer specific types of berries?

What are the primary factors that draw Cedar Waxwings to an area?

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The Ultimate Guide to Attracting Cedar Waxwings to Your Yard

Key Takeaways:

Bringing Cedar Waxwings to Your Yard: Proven Strategies and Attractants

Providing the Right Food Sources

Creating a Welcoming Habitat

Timing Your Attractants

Patience and Persistence

Identifying and Observing Cedar Waxwings: A Birdwatcher’s Guide

Identifying the Distinctive Cedar Waxwing

Creating a Waxwing-Friendly Habitat

Providing a Reliable Food Source

Observing the Captivating Behaviors of Cedar Waxwings

Timing Your Waxwing Encounters

Capturing the Beauty of Cedar Waxwings

Appreciating the Cedar Waxwing’s Role in the Ecosystem

How to Attract Cedar Waxwings to Your Backyard

Get to Know Cedar Waxwings

Some important distinctions from other birds

Backyard visitor or permanent resident?

What cedar waxwings eat

Cedar waxwing nesting habits

Attracting Cedar Waxwings, Step by Step

Create a forest edge

If you live in the cedar waxwing’s summer range, put up a birdhouse

Put out the materials cedar waxwings can use to build their nests

Feeding your cedar waxwings

Water for Cedar Waxwings

How to Attract Waxwings to Your Backyard with a Cedar Waxwing Habitat Garden

Where Do Waxwings Live?

How to Make a Waxwing Habitat Garden

Grow berry producing plants.

Add other flowering plants.

Hang up a feeder.

Install a water feature.

Keep sheltering trees.

Go organic.

Why Are Waxwings Called Waxwings?