by Diane Deming

Flocks of cedar waxwings were seen in our yard for several days gobbling up the mayflies that had hatched and landed in the grass. They would fly to the ground, quickly gorge themselves and then fly up to the branches of trees to digest their meal. After about 15 minutes they would fly to the ground again.

Cedar waxwings can be seen all spring, summer, and fall, but usually keep to the higher branches of trees. They eat insects and berries and make a high pitched sound that is difficult to hear. Their coloring is unique in that they have yellow tips on their tails and bright red tips on their inner wings. Many say they look like they were dipped in yellow and red paint. The rest of their body is tan and gray on top, a soft yellow underneath and they have a distinctive black eye mask.

Cedar Wax WIngs 2016

Photo: Diane Deming

 

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