Pimp my bird
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- January
- 23
Whenever I see a cedar waxwing, it always strikes me as looking like a souped-up northern cardinal. Whereas a cardinal appears somewhat regal in its red feathers, it also looks docile and sedentary. A cedar waxwing, on the other hand, is like a masked fighter ready for a speedy attack. Go here to see a photo of a cedar waxwing.
Cedar waxwings are mostly winter visitors to the area and big fruit-eaters. It’s a tough diet for the waxwings to maintain, unlike birds who live in the tropics and have easy access to fruit. Their fruit-centric feeding can also be kind of dicey. During the winter, the birds are consuming berries that have been hanging around for months.
“Drunk drivers” can be found in groups of waxwings. Sometimes, waxwings will feed on fermented fruit. The alcohol contained in the fermented fruit intoxicates the waxwings, which then have difficulty flying and even standing when they overindulge.
I spotted a few flitting from tree to tree in a Hannaford’s parking lot yesterday.
This entry was posted
on Friday, January 23rd, 2009 at 12:40 pm by Mike Risinit.
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Journal News staff writer Greg Clary writes Earth Watch, reporting on environmental issues in the lower Hudson region. Clary has been a reporter, editor and columnist at the Journal News since 1988 and has covered police and courts, transportation, municipal government, development and the environment in the Lower Hudson Valley, among other topics. 
Laura Incalcaterra covers the environment, open space and zoning and planning issues for The Journal News. A Boston College graduate, Laura grew up in Rockland, attended East Ramapo schools and has worked for The Journal News since 1993. Laura has written features and covered North Rockland, crime, government and a host of other issues.
Mike Risinit covers Patterson and Kent in Putnam County, as well as environmental topics touching on the Hudson River and the Great Swamp. Risinit has been a reporter at The Journal News since 1998.
