Cedar Waxwing

Today a beautiful blue sky, but with gusty wind!  Because of the terrible wind, not many birds came here.  Even mid-sized European Starlings had a hard time flying straight, being pushed to the side with the whims of the wind.

A couple of years ago, under a September blue sky, I was in a small town south of Portland, when I first saw a flock of facinating birds.

Their face reminded me of an alien.    The birds were Cedar Waxings.

Last summer, when I looked out toward an apple tree, there they were eating sweet apple blossoms.   That was the first time they showed up in my backyard.

See this face.   It has a scary look! 

A matured Waxwing has the red tips on the wing; a juvenile lacks the red tips.

After the first year, they get a black mask.  After the 2nd year, they get the red wing tip.

Another time, I saw one on a wisteria branch with yellowish pollen all over the face.  A look of a naughty kid being caught in the act.

They are around in Oregon most of the year, oftentimes perched on top of tall trees.  They like cedar cones, insects and fruits, especially berries. 

If you see a Waxwing next time, check to see if they are one year old, or two (or more) years old.