Cedar Waxwing Nesting (Behavior, Eggs + Location)

Cedar Waxwing (Bumblebee) is one of three species in the family Bombycillidae. This distinctly American species is a widely nomadic and partially immigrant, from the Yukon province in central Canada in summer to southern Central America in winter.

Birdwatchers from the northern half of the United States can see these beautiful birds any time of year, but have you ever wondered when and where they nest?

Cedar Waxwings breed in midsummer and even fall. Their late breeding season may have something to do with their diet. Building nests, hatching, brooding and feeding chicks requires energy, so they wait for high summer to take advantage of the readily available supply of fruit and berries.

Cedar Waxwings build a fairly tall cup-shaped nest in trees and large bushes. The pair form in mid-spring, are monogamous during the nesting season, and usually carry a second litter together. Their nests are built in trees and shrubs, usually a little out of reach for most humans, and females lay four to five eggs per clutch.

This article describes the nesting habits of the Cedar Waxwing, a nomadic American fruit eater with a late nesting season.

Closeup of a Cedar Waxwings nest with chicks about 10 days old

nest location

Cedar Waxwings are true nomads. These gregarious birds are not particularly territorial when it comes to nesting, so you may find multiple nests in the same neighborhood. Read on to learn more about where Cedar Waxwings nest.

Where Do Cedar Waxwings Nest?

Cedar Waxwings prefer solitary trees in open woodlands or open areas. They also nest in human-altered environments such as pine plantations and orchards.

Do Cedar Waxwings Nest in the Same Place Every Year?

Cedar Waxwings are highly nomadic birds. Their actions depend on the availability of the fruit they eat. They can be very irregular and do not necessarily return to the same area to nest.

Do Cedar Waxwings Nest in Backyards?

Cedar Waxwings don’t typically nest in backyards, although they can nest almost anywhere that there is suitable habitat.

Adult Cedar Waxwing feeding fledgling chicks

Do Cedar Waxwings Use Nest Boxes?

Cedar Waxwings do not use a nest box. They build their nests at the forks of horizontal branches or occasionally at the tops of broad, horizontal branches.

What tree do cedar waxwings nest in?

Cedar Waxwings nest in a variety of tree and shrub species, including fruiting species and conifers. They usually nest in the following tree species:

• apple
• pear
• maple
• Oaks
• pine
• cedar

How Tall Are Cedar Waffle Nests?

Cedar Waxwings typically nest about 10 feet (3 m) above the ground, although their nests have been found in trees as high as 50 feet (15.2 m) and as low as 3.6 feet (1.1 m).

Cedar Waxwings like to nest in open woodlands

Nest Appearance

Cedar Waxwings build somewhat messy and bulky dens with neat, bowl-shaped interiors. Read on to learn more about what it looks like.

What does a cedar waffle nest look like?

Cedar Waxwings build relatively deep, cup-shaped nests that can be tall or wide. Their nests are made from a variety of plant materials, but often include other materials such as twine and spider silk.

How big is the cedar waffle nest?

Cedar waxwing nests vary widely in size. Most nests fall within the following size ranges:

• high: 2.7 – 4.5 inches (68 – 114mm)
• Outer diameter: Typically 4.5 – 6 inches (114 – 152mm)
• the inside diameter of: 2.5 – 3.3 inches (65 – 83mm)
• depth: Approx. 1 – 1.75 inches (24 – 45mm)

Close Cedar Waxwing Courtship Feeding

phenology

Cedar Waxwings are relatively late nesters compared to other American songbirds. Mating and courtship may begin in mid-spring, but nesting may be complete by fall. Read on to learn more about Cedar Waxwing nesting times.

What time of year do cedar waxwings nest?

Cedar Waxwings start nesting in midsummer, when food is most plentiful. Nesting usually begins in June, usually at the end of the month.

How Long Do Cedar Waxwings Build Nests?

Cedar Waxwings can complete each nesting cycle in about 38 days. Such a short time frame allows them to have more than one brood, even though they start nesting much later than other birds.

Cedar Waxwing Nesting Schedule:

• nest: 3 – 9 days (average 5 days)
• lay eggs: 2 – 6 days (average 5 days)
• incubation: 11 – 13 days (average 12 days)
• fledgling: 14 – 18 days (average 15 days)

What month does the cedar waxwing lay eggs?

Female cedar waxwings usually lay their first clutch of eggs after the second week of June. They can spawn a little earlier in the southern part of their breeding range, sometimes in the last week of May. Successful pairings will produce a second clutch in July or August.

Where do cedar waxwings nest in winter?

Cedar Waxwings finish breeding before winter begins. These birds migrate south in winter, and some flocks travel as far as northern South America during their autumn migration.

A flock of hungry Cedar Waxwing chicks wait for their parents to feed them

nest

Cedar Waxwings typically build a new nest for each nest, although some pairs will modify old nests or those of other birds. Both male and female Cedar Waxwings search for a nest, although the female often has the final say.

Read on to learn more about the construction of the Taiping Bird’s Nest.

How Do Cedar Waxwings Build Nests?

Female cedar waxwings build nests around themselves. They move around inside the nest while rocking back and forth to maintain a comfortable bowl shape. They weave nesting material by sticking out the edge and pushing it in with their beaks.

The build process usually takes five or six days, but in some cases it can take up to nine days. However, Cedar Waxwings can complete a nest in a day in captivity where food and nesting materials are readily available.

What do cedar waxwings use to build their nests?

Cedar Waxwings build their nests using a variety of natural and man-made materials that they find near their nests. They also get nesting material from the nests (old and new) of other waxwings and many other birds.

These birds use finer materials to line the inner cup of the nest, creating a more comfortable and insulated environment for eggs and chicks.

Cedar Waxwings use the following materials for their nests:

• branch
• Leaves
• bark strips
• Grass
• the flowers
• root
• moss
• spider web
• string

Do male or female Cedar Waxwings build nests?

Both male and female Cedar Waxwings collect nesting material, although the female does most of the actual construction on the first nest. Males are more involved and tend to do more work than females in the construction of the second nest.

A breeding pair of Cedar Waxwings working together to gather rope for the nest

Cedar Peace Eggs

What Do Cedar Waxwing Eggs Look Like?

Cedar Waxwing eggs are about 0.86 inches (22 mm) long and 0.6 inches (15.6 mm) wide. Attractive spotted eggs have a bluish-gray undertone with gray or black spots.

How Many Eggs Do Cedar Waxwings Lay?

Cedar Waxwings typically lay 4 to 5 eggs per clutch, although 2 to 6 eggs have been recorded.

Do Male Cedar Waxwings Sit on Eggs?

Male cedar waxwings do not incubate eggs. They tend to perch above the nest when the female sits on the eggs in search of predators. They also bring food for their mate while she is hatching.

Cedar Waxwing Gathering Fluff For Nest

fledgling and parental care

Young cedar waxwings hatch naked, blind and helpless. Young birds develop rapidly by feeding on insects and fruit, and reach adult body weight within two weeks. Read on to learn more about baby cedar waxwings.

When does the little cedar waxwing leave the nest?

Cedar Waxwings usually fling their feathers from the nest between fourteen and eighteen days after hatching. Their feathers are almost fully developed at this age – only their flight feathers have not yet reached full length.

After leaving the nest, the parents will continue to feed the chicks for six to ten days. If his mate is incubating the next clutch, the male will feed the chicks himself.

How many litters do Cedar Waxwings have?

Cedar Waxwings may have a second brood, usually before the first chicks leave the nest. When the first clutch is about a week old, the couple will resume courtship and build a new nest before laying a second clutch of eggs.

Adult Cedar Waxwing feeding chicks on a branch

common problem

Will cedar waxwings abandon their nests?

Cedar Waxwings will easily abandon the nest if disturbed during the construction phase. However, if they have eggs or chicks, they will not leave the nest anytime soon.

Do cedar waxwings nest on the ground?

Cedar Waxwings do not nest on the ground. Most nests are built about 3 meters (10 feet) above the ground in small trees or large bushes.

Where Do Cedar Waxwings Nest At Night?

Cedar Waxwings are less likely to sleep in nests when they are not incubating eggs or brooding chicks. They may roost in trees and shrubs at night.

Young Cedar Waxwing perched on a leafy branch

How to Attract Nesting Cedar Waxwings?

Due to their nomadic lifestyle, it can be difficult to reliably attract nesting Cedar Waxwings. The best way to attract these birds is to plant native fruit trees such as raspberry and holly. Also, providing a clean source of fresh water for drinking and bathing will attract waxwings and many other birds.

Can you move the Cedar Waxwing lair?

Cedar Waxwings are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. It is best to let them finish breeding before moving the nest, as it is illegal to disturb them.