Description/Diet: The Cedar Waxwing is an elegant bird. About seven inches in length, it is beige, with a black mask and throat, gray wings and tail, and a bright yellow tail band which is especially visible in flight. The large crest in conspicuous and present in both sexes. Male and female waxwings are very similar in appearance. Waxwings get their name from red wing feathers that appear as if they've been dipped in candle wax. While Cedar Waxwings are beautiful, their song is little more than a high-pitched whine or wheeze. Cedar Waxwings eat berries and insects.

Habitat/Range: The Cedar Waxwing is common throughout the northern half of North America, especially in the eastern United States. Cedar Waxwings can be found in a variety of different habitats including evergreen forests, mixed forests, deciduous forests, parks, and neighborhoods. Cedar Waxwings are known to wander in search of food, and may turn up anywhere in medium-sized to large flocks.

Behavior: Cedar Waxwings are among the most entertaining of North American birds. A flock of fifty may crowd a sapling so tightly in winter that it appears as if the sapling is growing waxwings. Cedar Waxwings are known to play a "game" with berries. A group of waxwings may perch side by side on a tree branch. The waxwing at the front of the line may snatch a berry, and pass it to the next waxwing. The berry will then be passed to the next waxwing. This process is repeated until one of the waxwings can't take it anymore and gobbles up the berry. Then, the game starts over again. At times when Cedar Waxwings gorge themselves on fermented berries, the birds can become intoxicated and may exhibit wobbly flight or may crash into objects. Bird banders even claim Cedar Waxwings smell like crushed berries!