Cedar Waxwings are often most noticeable during the winter, when they congregate in flocks to feed. They are one of the most frugivorous (fruit-eating) species in North America, with fruit comprising as much as 84% of their diet. They also feed on insects, such as caterpillars and carpenter ants, during the summer and only feed their young insects for the first two days after hatching.

A distinguishing characteristic of the Cedar Waxwing is the red in the wing feathers. The red tip is actually not a feather, but flattened portions of the feather shafts. Studies have shown that older waxwings have more and larger red tips and produce more young.

Students typically want to know how big and how fast animals are. One Cedar Waxwing was clocked flying between 21 and 29 mph. It definitely would have been ticketed if it had been flying this fast by your school!

Cedar Waxwings weigh only 3/4 - 1 1/3 ounces, about the same as a letter in an envelope - with the stamp. They are 7.25" long.

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