Species-Specific Management (SSM)

Cedar Waxwing

The cedar waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) is a migratory songbird with a cap or crest similar to that of a cardinal. The cedar waxwing is also known as cedar bird, cherry bird, Canada waxwing, and Carolina waxwing. Because waxwings are migratory, they are protected by federal law. Therefore, it is illegal to hunt, trap, or in any way harm one of these birds.

Because of the protected status, few people are able to manage waxwings by directly manipulating the populations. Managing the habitat is thus the only way for most people to change their numbers.

Cedar waxwings migrate south during the colder months of the year. During fall, winter, and spring the birds are colonial. Colonies usually number 5 to 20 birds and several colonies may take up residence close to houses depending on winter food. Waxwings pair off to mate and disperse from their winter colonies during the summer months, so you will probably not encounter as many birds at this time.

Waxwings eat insects, berries, fruit, and worms throughout the year. After summer, they shift to winter-hardy berries (cedar, etc.) and seeds. They are fond of orchards. Other management techniques are:

1. They prefer open woodland habitat. If you do not live near such an area, plant trees that the birds may use. Plant hardwoods such as oak as well as pines, cedars, etc. for winter cover.
2. Provide the desired food. Plant berry vines and perhaps a few apple or other fruit trees. It is especially important to include plants which have winter-hardy fruit such as cedar trees, hollies, mountain ash, crabapple, hawthorn.
3. Be sure to have a water source nearby.
4. Set out the bird feeders and keep them stocked with mixed seeds.
5. Use mammal-proof feeders so that squirrels and other mammals do not eat all of your bird seed. Such feeders can be purchased from most companies supplying bird feeders.
6. "Chicken wire" caging may be placed around feeders to prevent larger birds, such as mourning doves, from eating large amounts of the seed.
7. If planting fruit, a fence should probably be placed around the area to prevent deer and other animals from devouring all of the fruit and causing damage to the fruit plants.

The cedar waxwing adapts easily to human habitat. It may take some time before any waxwings discover the haven you have created for them. The above recommendations are very likely to increase the number of other wildlife in your area.

Since cedar waxwings migrate, we should encourage Central American countries to use these suggestions to increase bird numbers.

A contribution of Mike Knight (1992), Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0321

This Web site is maintained by R. H. Giles, Jr.
Last revision January 17, 2000.