Comments on: Waxwings flock to habitat megastore

By: Jo-Anne

Jo-Anne — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 14:43:40 +0000

Over twenty years ago, as I was home by myself, a flock of cedar wax wings came for a visit. I had never seen such a bird, much less a flock. I looked them up, and read that they were solitary birds, and did not travel in flocks! I thought that I must have witnessed something very strange indeed…perhaps a dream? Anyways… thanks for the pictures, and I can safely say today, after seeing them, that indeed, it was the spectacular vision that I DID see.

By: ambercoakley

ambercoakley — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 05:58:19 +0000

Hide-I hope you get to see them some day. The flocks I’ve seen are always glittering with color, and they have a high-pitched sound they make – I don’t even know how to describe it.

Beverly-I know that the wax myrtle is not native to Colorado…but, the blue spruce i planted 2 seasons ago is not native to Texas, either! I don’t have to worry about the spruce surviving the winter – it’s the summer I worry about. So far, so good – it’s still a “baby” tree.

Vickie-Maybe you could better describe the sound that a flock of cedar waxwings make. I know it when I hear it. I also found the answer to your question at the Global Raptor Information Network (GRIN)-I am learning too!

Here are their definitions:
Permanent resident: A breeding species present throughout the year.
Breeding: Nesting documented or very probable. (equivalent to “Breeding migrant” in the European and African literature).
Non-breeding: Resident only during the non-breeding period of the year. (equivalent to “Non-breeding migrant” in the European and African literature).
Migrant: Occurs in passage to breeding or non-breeding areas.
Visitor (= Casual): Scarce, but of regular, expected occurrence; occurs annually.
Vagrant (= Accidental): Rare and unexpected; does not occur annually.
Extinct: Extirpated.

By: Vickie

Vickie — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 21:40:12 +0000

Wonderful report and photo. I remember exactly when and where I saw my first flock of cedar waxwings. What a treat!

An aside…can anyone explain to me what a non-breeding resident is? Don’t all birds breed?

By: Beverly

Beverly — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 17:06:34 +0000

I’m still working on the bird-habitat I’m creating in my yard. It hurt to cut down three messy, mealy, apple-trees (that attracted squirrels and wasps), but I’ve replaced them many times over with all sorts of native trees & bushes that the birds will love…once they get established. I’ll have to look up your myrtle and see how well it does in south-central Colorado! Somehow I’m thinking something that likes 8a won’t much care for Zone 4. LOL

By: Hide

Hide — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 07:17:47 +0000

I love Cedar Waxwings and being a photographer,I really want to capture them. I wish I had a back yard like yours and I would be a happy camper!

You created a pefect environment for them and now they’re rewarding you.

Thanks for sharing your information and your beautiful photos.

By: Jeffrey A. Gordon » I and the Bird #90: Christmas Count Tally Rally

Jeffrey A. Gordon » I and the Bird #90: Christmas Count Tally Rally — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 21:08:47 +0000

[...] One of the best ways to get birds to come to your yard is to grow plants that tempt them with their favored winter feasts, as Amber Coakley does in Waxwings flock to habitat megastore. [...]