Cedar Waxwing

Description:

A medium-sized, sleek bird with a large head, short neck, and short, wide bill. Waxwings have a crest that often lies flat and droops over the back of the head. The wings are broad and pointed, like a starling’s. The tail is fairly short and square-tipped. Cedar Waxwings are pale brown on the head and chest fading to soft gray on the wings. The belly is pale yellow, and the tail is gray with a bright yellow tip. The face has a narrow black mask neatly outlined in white. The red waxy tips to the wing feathers are not always easy to see.

Habitat:

Woodlands of all kinds, and at farms, orchards, and suburban gardens where there are fruiting trees or shrubs. Photographed at Quogue Wildlife Refuge.

Notes:

My very first siting! I've been looking for this bird and, since my vision is not very good anymore, I didn't realize what I photographed until I looked in iPhoto - All I could see was a crest and thought it was a plain old Tufted Titmouse :) I have to go back and get some better photos.