Cedar Waxwing (Jaseur d'Amérique)

   Nature everywhere speaks to man in a voice that is familiar to his soul.

Alexander von Humboldt

     I have followed birds all my life, my love affair with them goes back as far as my conscious memory permits. I suppose that at different times I might have had "favourites," but I think that if I did it was a transitory sentiment, for all species are special in their own way. 
     There can be little doubt, however, that birds that align with our sense of what is beautiful, inevitably crowd out others from time to time, and Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) indubitably falls into this category.

     It is a show stopper by any standards. 
     

     And we are very fortunate that this bird is not uncommon, and moves around in flocks seeking fruiting trees and shrubs. It is not unusual to come across flocks of twenty or thirty feeding on berry-bearing bushes. It is a resident species and deals with our harsh winters well. I am always somewhat taken aback when I see them swallowing frozen berries, which must seem like little balls of ice entering their digestive tract.

     They are known to consume berries that are toxic to humans in doses that would be lethal, having the ability to detoxify these fruits.

     Miriam and I were once birding along a local trail when a friend of hers approached us, and we let her see Cedar Waxwings through our binoculars. She was quite bowled over and excited, never having known that birds of such distinct and stunning beauty exist here. I suspect she is not the first to have this reaction.

     Juveniles do not have quite the splendour of adults (true of most species), but they have a certain charm nonetheless; with their prominent black mask they look like young avian buccaneers.

     

     They tend to flock together once they have gained independence.

     There is safety in numbers and probably an enhanced ability to find food.
     I am sure that over the next few days I will spot Cedar Waxwings here and there, and that each sighting will evoke the same measure of delight as it has always done. I hope they you too may come across them. Your whole day will be enhanced, maybe even your entire week.