In today’s edition of #RBWInterWildlifeWednesday, we take a look at one of the most visually striking birds found at R. B. Winter State Park - the Cedar Waxwing!
A year-round inhabitant of Pennsylvania, Cedar Waxwings are medium-sized songbirds comparable in size to an American Robin. Known for their silky, shiny plumage and sleek crests, they typically have a pale brown head and chest that fades into a soft gray on the wings, with a distinctive black mask outlined in white. Their name derives from the bright red, wax-like tips that form on the secondary wing feathers of some adult birds.
Cedar Waxwings can be found in a variety of habitats, ranging from open woodlands and orchards to suburban gardens and parks. They are especially attracted to areas with abundant fruit-bearing plants, particularly berries, which make up approximately 80% of their diet. Unlike many other North American birds, Cedar Waxwings can survive for months at a time on just fruits and berries. They are also known to naturally disperse the seeds of the plants they eat, as they consume the entire fruit and pass the seeds through their digestive tract, spreading the seeds across the landscape as they search for their next meal.
At R. B. Winter State Park, Cedar Waxwings that have not migrated south can be found in the winter as flocks hunt through the forest for berries and other dried fruits to eat. The best time to see them at the park is right now! During the summer months, they often supplement their diet with insects and can be found near the dam, performing dizzying aerial acrobatics as they pluck mayflies, dragonflies, stoneflies, and other insects out of midair.
The next time you’re at the park, be sure to stop by the parking area near the Raymond B. Winter memorial at the dam and watch for these sleek-looking birds!
Picture by Friends of R. B. Winter State Park Board Member Kyle Fawcett
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