Waxwings!

Another Bohemian Waxwing this winter

Beautiful burn!

Thanks everyone for the waxwing fix. Gorgeous photos. I usually get to see them in our crabapple trees as they are passing through in March. Especially if there's a snow storm. We didn't have snow in March this year so I missed out.

Thanks Burn, grapes. I'll be sure to pick up some extra next time I go grocery shopping. :-)

I just saw a flock a few minutes ago. They were probably 75 yards off, but flying like Wax-wings. Got my binocs and confirmed. Grabbed my camera and they were gone. They were flying down to some Indian Hawthorn bushes in a neighbor's yard. Maybe I'll get to see them again. I don't have anything in my yard that will attract them-- yet.

Saw them again and was able to get a few unremarkable photos I won't bother to post. Light was terrible, too far off. They spent the afternoon on the creek across the road in the tops of some tall pecan trees, occasionally flying back to that one yard to dine on berries.

At my old house, I had a Golden Raintree in the backyard with several feeders in it and a birdbath under it. It produced some golden fruit that would guarantee a visit from migrating Waxwings. They would drink from the birdbath as well.

I fed birds there for 30 years. Don't have nearly as many here, but I have always subscribed to the 'Field of Dreams' conservation theory-- build it and they will come. I'm workin' on it.

Mine seem to have moved on now - no sign yet today.

Resin

Got a couple of more shots that turned out a little better.

They were wearing camo in that first shot and you can't see them.

Nice catch!!

Another.

Nice pics! Didn't know their bellies got such a bright yellow.

Mine were back again this afternoon, so they haven't left yet after all.

Resin

Red! I'm so delighted to see you caught that wonderful sight of them, perching on Japanese Maples?

Very nice Red!

great looking birds Red, good shot of them all lined up.

Beautiful

That is sooooo cool Red!!!

Red - Are those mostly yearlings? looks like only 1 has the red "wax" wingtips and seems I read that comes w/ matur loloring.
They are wonderful & seeing them all in a reow was amazing! you sure get some great shots!!

Yep, Red's are mostly yearlings. That seems to be normal in waxwing flocks, I guess they have a high reproductive rate and a fairly short lifespan. The flock I had was also something like 70-80% of yearlings.

Resin

I don't know anything about Wax-wing population dynamics, but that would seem so. I do know a little about Bobwhites and we used to collect a wing on every bird shot on my lease. At the end of the season I'd age them. It would give me an idea about what kind of crop I had that year. Quail mortality is high as well, 70-80% annually. If my wing count had a high percentage of mature birds, it generally meant a poor season the following year.

Birds with high mortality rates are susceptible to boom and bust populations.

I posted some pics today taken in a new holly bush I planted. The Waxwings have discovered it and are quickly picking poor Nelly bare! I'll post a couple here.

Resin, You commented about the yellow on these birds. Interesting difference in your birds and those here. In reviewing this thread, I believe Burn's birds in NE are actually Bohemian Waxwings, because they don't have the yellow.

Another.

Red, in the winter time, I get the Bohemians, and Summer the Cedar Waxwings. Great shot of your Cedar. They're beautiful birds.

Well, she ought to be a happy Holly. She was picked bare by sundown!

Wow, that fast!

I saw a Cedar Waxwing drinking from one of the birdbaths a few days ago, and was surprised that they were still around here! I am sure that the 85°F temps will send them northward, this weekend. I've also spotted a few rose-breasted grosbeaks in the feeders - they stop here for a few weeks before they go northward for the summer. Look out, folks in the northern states - your beautiful summer birds are on their way! :-)

i live in northern Illinois and I have been watching for the beautiful rose breasted grosbeaks. They dont stay here but for a couple weeks. I had one out at my feedeers tonight for the first time. Most of my feeders were empty due to the heavy rains we have been getting, so I just sit down for supper and saw him and boy did i scurry outside to get the striped sunflower and mixed nut feeder filled. I am sure my hubby thought I was off my rocker. LOLOL

Good to know they are here Lynn. Last year I had them on May 3. I'll keep an eye out.

I had 7 waxwings come through this afternoon. Some decided to drink out of a puddle in the yard! Sorry about the chair.

I saw waxwings for the first time 2 years ago in the upper part of michigan on vacation. That was a treat for sure. Then last year they were on a shrub behind my fence and i barely caught a glimpse of them. they are a beautiful impressive bird. I planted several berry shrubs last year in my back yard. i hope in a few years when they get bigger that will encourage the waxwings to stay a bit. What a treat to have half a dozen in your yard.

Showing us their delicacy.

Last year by the pond Cedar Waxwing.

This is my first year discovery of CW, and I'm totally taken. I'm finding ways of attracting them the the garden. They're so beautiful.