ROORK’S WING TIPS – 19

           Cedar Waxwings are the subject of this month’s in depth study.  They are one of many birds that prefer eating from an open flat feeder.  This type of feeder is known as a platform feeder.  Cardinals, Bluebirds, Wrens, Juncos, White Throated Sparrows, Chipping Sparrows, Chickadees, Titmice, Blue Jays, Doves etc. will all frequent platform feeders.

           We carry a wonderful platform feeder made by Bishop that is entirely covered by a roof.  The bottom is made of a layer of ¼ inch hardware cloth as well as a layer of metal screening.  This allows the water to drain off easily after a rain.  I have modified mine by attaching a suet feeder to each side support.  This works extremely well and is a quick fix.  I am so pleased with mine that I am about to put up a second one.

           Since the above mentioned feeder is mounted on your own pole it can be set at any height.  The next feeder is designed to be a ground feeder and comes with its own short pole.  This is Lyric’s Snowbird feeder.  It also has a screen bottom for drainage as well as a heavy wire cage designed to keep out squirrels and large birds.  This has proven to be very effective except with Grackles.  These thin-bodied birds are able to reach through the cage to get the seed.  Small birds can safely go right through the mesh to feed.

           Duncraft also makes a nice platform feeder.  Their feeder can be hung or pole mounted.  It has good drainage and is rendered squirrel proof by a double mesh cover over the seeds.

           All of the above mentioned platform feeders give you the flexibility of feeding any type of seed or even mealworms.  You can also put berries or fruit on them.  They are a great addition to any backyard.

CEDAR WAXWINGS

           The cedar waxwing is one of the most beautiful birds to visit our backyards.  It is a large bird about the size and shape of a cardinal.  Like the cardinal, they are berry and seedeaters.  Waxwings are present in this area all year round.  Look for a bird with a warm tan body, gray wings and tail.  It has a distinctive black mask around its eyes.  It is named for the waxy red candle shaped feathers in the center of its wings.  The brilliant yellow band covering the last half- inch of its tail makes it hard to miss.  With its colorful markings it appears ready to attend a costume ball.

           Cedar Waxwings feed in flocks of six to a hundred birds.   The chattering of these visitors calls your attention to the trees where they are feeding.  I see them in my yard when the choke cherry trees are in fruit.  They also visit the holly and cedar trees for their berries.  Pyracantha is a wintertime favorite as are asparagus and honeysuckle berries.   The best way to entice waxwings to your feeder in winter is to put out berries.  Some people freeze them when they are in season.  These birds prefer open feeders to tube feeders.  Attaching a few branches of berries to the feeder may just lure them to your yard.  This trick also works with bluebirds and many other seed eating birds.  Waxwings will also eat raisins, apple and orange slices as well as sunflower seeds.

           While the waxwing can be enticed to the feeder I consider it one of my binocular birds.  These birds prefer an open woods habitat.  If you scan the trees and hedgerows you are apt to find one.  They are shy around people and will not attend your feeder if there is a lot of human activity around it.

           Waxwings exhibit some rather unusual behavior while eating.  It is common to see them pass a seed or berry from one to the other down the line.  It is unknown if this is pecking order behavior or if it is merely a game.  Waxwings have also been known to get drunk.  It seems that when fleshy berries such as currants freeze and then thaw they ferment.  Unsuspecting waxwings eat them and become intoxicated.  They have been known to stagger and crash land not unlike their inebriated human counterparts.

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