Cedar Waxwings

I spotted a small flock (about 25) Cedar Waxwings in the woods yesterday. From far away, I wasn't sure what they were as the flittered from tree top to tree top, but after putting the binoculars on them, it was obvious! Their black masked faces always make me smile. The first thought I had was, are these Bohemian waxwings instead of Cedars? Doing a little research though, it was obvious these were Cedars. Bohemian waxwings are more northern and western in their distribution. Also, the Cedar is slightly smaller and has different plumage markings. Waxwings main diet consists of wild berries - almost 80% of thier intake. But, that is also one of their biggest vulnerabilities. Sometimes, particularly when warm days follow a frost, the berries can become toxic and the poor waxwings eat them anyway and succumb to alcohol poisoning. Some fun facts...they got their name 'Cedar' waxwing because of their attraction to the blue berries produced by red cedar trees. The name "waxwing" comes from the waxy red appendages found on the tips of the wings. Waxwings nest in late summer when berries are abundant to feed their young. Waxwings are frugivorous (fruit eaters) and are often seen passing berries via their beaks from one bird to the next down the line on a branch - quite friendly!