Cedar Waxwing Flight
by Nava Thompson
Title
Cedar Waxwing Flight
Artist
Nava Thompson
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
A waxwing taken in flight among the Bradford Pear berries in November by Nava Thompson.Seasonal movementsOutside the breeding season, Cedar Waxwings often feed in large flocks numbering hundreds of birds. This species is irruptive, with erratic winter movements, though most of the population migrates farther south into the United States and beyond, sometimes reaching as far as northern South America. They will move in huge numbers if berry supplies are low. Rare vagrants have reached western Europe, and there are two recorded occurrences of Cedar Waxwing sightings in Great Britain. Individual Bohemian Waxwings will occasionally join large winter flocks of Cedar Waxwings. In winter, these birds can be very confident and will come into gardens for berry bushes and trees and to drink from fountains or bird baths. Cedar waxwings fly at 25 miles per hour and fly at an altitude of 2000 ft. The Cedar Waxwing eats berries and sugary fruit year-round, including juniper berries and ivy berries, with insects becoming an important part of the diet in the breeding season. Its fondness for the small cones of the Eastern Redcedar (a kind of juniper) gave this bird its common name. When the end of a twig holds a supply of berries that only one bird at a time can reach, members of a flock may line up along the twig and pass berries beak to beak down the line so that each bird gets a chance to eat. Preferred habitat consists of trees at the edge of wooded areas, or "open" forests, especially those that provide access to berry sources as well as water. Waxwings are attracted to the sound of running water, and love to bathe in and drink from shallow creeks. In urban or suburban environments, waxwings often favor parkland with well-spaced trees; golf courses, cemeteries, or other landscaping with well-spaced trees; bushes that provide berries; and a nearby water source such as a fountain or birdbath. The nest is a loose open cup built with grass and twigs, lined with softer materials and supported by a tree branch averaging 2 to 6 meters above ground but, at times, considerably higher. The outer diameter of the nest is approximately 12 cm to 16 cm. During courtship, the pair may pass a flower petal or insect back and forth repeatedly. Usually 5 or 6 eggs are laid and the female incubates them for 12 to 16 days. The eggs are oval shaped with a smooth surface and very little, if any, gloss. The egg shells are of various shades of light or bluish grey with irregular, dark brown spots or greyish-brown splotches. Both parents build the nest and feed the young. Typically, there are two broods during the mating season. Young leave the nest about 14 to 18 days after hatching.
Uploaded
November 28th, 2012
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Viewed 1,053 Times - Last Visitor from Baltimore, MD on 03/28/2024 at 11:34 PM
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Comments (32)
Luther Fine Art
Congratulations! Your fantastic photographic art has been chosen as a Camera Art Group feature! You are invited to archive your work in the feature archive discussion. There are many other discussions in the group where you can promote your art even further more
Hanne Lore Koehler
Spectacular action capture of this gorgeous Cedar Waxwing in flight, Nava! Fantastic color, sunlight and shadows in this beautiful composition! L/F
William Tasker
Gorgeous capture, Nava! Your beautiful and identified bird image has been featured by Wild Birds Of The World, a nature photography group. L/F
Meryl Goudey
Seeing a glow come through the fan-like wings. Surprise back at ya! L
Nava Thompson replied:
Meryl---thank you! :) Appreciate your cheery comments and the surprise promotion!
Nava Jo Thompson
Thank you Randy for the feature of 'Cedar Waxwing Flight' in Wisconsin Flowers and Scenery! Much appreciated!
Sue Jenkins
This is a great shot, I am in envy of you catching it in flight with wings spread perfect timing. I found this in Caught My Eye in the Art Shoppe Cafe,Voted
RC DeWinter
Excellent shot, Nava, so well done....v
Nava Thompson replied:
Thank you Gina--I appreciate the comment and vote. I have really enjoyed some of your winter scenes with the snow falling.
Randy Rosenberger
Hey Buddy, Sure looks like a beauty to me! This is one beautiful avian and capturing it in flight is even more spectacular! But now add the red berries and the blue sky, and you have a masterpiece of photographic beauty, Nava Jo! Love this beauty! fave and vote
Nava Thompson replied:
Randy--thank you for your generous comments--appreciate your encouragement and fave and vote! :)
Nava Jo Thompson
Nadine and Bob--thank you for featuring 'Cedar Waxwing Flight' in 'USA Artist News DAILY'!