Cedar Waxwing

Where’s Wildlife · Bird Field Guide

Cedar Waxwing

Bombycilla cedrorum

Often found in social groups visiting fruiting trees.

Cedar Waxwing perched on a log, showing its crest and black mask.

Three Identification Clues

01 · FIELD MARK

A sleek crest and black face mask bordered by pale markings.

02 · FIELD MARK

Warm brown head and chest, gray wings, and a pale yellow belly.

03 · FIELD MARK

Usually a yellow tail tip; red waxlike wing tips may be present but are not always visible.

Identification reference: Cornell Lab of Ornithology ↗

Field Photographs

Cedar Waxwing perched on a log, showing its crest and black mask.
Cedar Waxwing perched on a log, showing its crest and black mask.
Cedar Waxwing perched on a bare twig against blue sky.
Cedar Waxwing perched on a bare twig against blue sky.
Cedar Waxwing perched on a bare twig against blue sky.
Cedar Waxwing perched on a bare twig against blue sky.
Cedar Waxwing perched among slender twigs.
Cedar Waxwing perched among slender twigs.
Cedar Waxwing perched in profile with its black mask and yellow tail tip visible.
Cedar Waxwing perched in profile with its black mask and yellow tail tip visible.
Cedar Waxwing juvenile with streaked underparts among bare branches.
Cedar Waxwing juvenile with streaked underparts among bare branches.
Cedar Waxwing two birds perched on a log.
Cedar Waxwing two birds perched on a log.
Cedar Waxwing group perched in bare branches.
Cedar Waxwing group perched in bare branches.

Range & Sightings

Seasonal Range

Explore breeding, migration, and wintering areas.

View Range Map ↗

Recorded Observations

Explore sightings on iNaturalist. Observation records are not a complete range map.

iNaturalist observation map ↗

Keep Learning

Compare several photographs, then listen to recordings to connect appearance with voice.

Cornell · Identification ↗Cornell · Life history ↗Cornell · Songs and calls ↗