Cedar Waxwing....ABA Bird of the Year

The American Birding Association annually selects a Bird of the Year. Sometimes it is one that lives somewhere in the USA, but far away from Canada, such as the Iiwi, an Hawaiian bird, in 2018. But other times it is a species which also occurs in Canada, such as the Ruddy Turnstone in 2017, or the Green Heron, in 2015. I post a blog about the Green Heron, which you can see here.

There are various reasons why a bird is chosen by the ABA. If you are a member of the ABA, you will likely have read all about it in the April 2020 issue of Birding. You can read a little about this process at this link.

There are many potential candidates, but for 2020, it is the Cedar Waxwing. It is always a highlight to see this species, either singularly or in flocks. They are so distinctive that even many non-birders will recognize them.

Here are some of my favourite photos of this striking species that I have managed to capture over the last few years.

 They love berries! In fact their preference for berries is one of the reasons they don't start nesting until a little later in the season compared to many other birds. Seldom do they begin nesting before the end of June, so that by the time their young have hatched and require an abundance of food, berries are in good supply. One of my early experiences with this species was photographing a nest full of half-grown young at the end of the first week in September.

As the season progresses, the fruit of trees such as Red Cedar, shown in the next two photos, are sought out.

 Or the berries of a rose bush.

 Sometimes you see them travelling in groups, perhaps two or three family groups together with lots of first year birds.

The Cedar Waxwing is certainly a memorable bird!