What does the Cedar Waxwing song sound like?

Bombycilla cedrorum

Song Common Resident

Play the real Cedar Waxwing song, the "sreee (thin whistle)", and learn what to listen for.

“sreee (thin whistle)”

What the Cedar Waxwing song sounds like

Cedar Waxwings have no complex song; their "song" is basically a high, thin, lisping whistle or trill. They often give a sustained soft whistle “sreeeeee” or a high "tsee" that serves in place of a song.

“sreee (thin whistle)”

How to find the bird singing it

Favors semi-open habitats rich in berry-producing vegetation. Common in deciduous, coniferous, and mixed forests along streams, forest edges, and overgrown fields. They also thrive in towns and suburbs where ornamental berry trees are planted. In winter, large flocks congregate anywhere berries are abundant – from woodland thickets to city parks.

Black Mask & Crest: Distinct black mask through the eyes and a sleek, pointed crest on the crown give the bird a striking profile.
Yellow Tail Band: Bright yellow band across the tip of the tail. (In some individuals this band may be orange-tinted if certain berries were in their diet during molt.)
Red Wing "Wax" Spots: Small red, waxy-looking droplets on the wing feathers (on the secondaries). These “wax” spots are unique to waxwings and more prominent in older adults.

When you'll hear it

Summer (Breeding)

Breeding season is mid-summer. Adults retain the same silky brown-gray plumage year-round (no distinct breeding plumage). During summer they may be seen flycatching insects over streams in addition to eating fruit.

Winter (Nonbreeding)

In winter, flocks wander in search of berries. Plumage remains the same (adults always have mask and yellow tail band). Flocks in winter can be very large and are often detected by their constant high-pitched calls.

Cedar Waxwing song FAQ

What does a Cedar Waxwing song sound like?

How do I tell a Cedar Waxwing from a Bohemian Waxwing by ear?

Bohemian Waxwing: Bohemian Waxwing is larger and grayer, with rufous (rusty-brown) undertail coverts instead of white.; Bohemians have bold white and yellow markings on the wing (and more extensive red tips) that Cedar Waxwings lack. Also, Bohemian Waxwings have a grayer belly versus the Cedar’s brownish-yellow belly..

When is the best time to hear the Cedar Waxwing song?

Nesting is often delayed until late summer (June-July) to coincide with peak berry availability for feeding young. Pairs build nests and raise young in mid to late summer. Outside of the breeding period, waxwings form large flocks that rove continually, feeding and relocating as local berry crops are exhausted. In winter, they are nomadic and can irrupt to unusual areas if food is scarce, calling constantly as they fly between fruiting trees.

More Cedar Waxwing sounds

Cedar Waxwing: the full species pageEvery sound we have, field marks, habitat and similar species.How to Learn Bird Songs by Ear: A Gentle Two-Week MethodLearning bird songs by ear sounds intimidating until you realize you already know a few — that robin in your yard, the chickadee at the feeder. Here is the gentle on-ramp: seven birds to learn first, a memory trick that works even if you cannot carry a tune, and a ten-minute-a-day rhythm that turns spring noise into named neighbors.How to Learn Bird Calls Fast: A 7-Day Spring PlanYou have seven days. You want seven birds. This is the plan: one new song per day, a mnemonic per bird, ten minutes you steal from your coffee break. Sunday-to-Sunday, you walk outside and a name lands in your head before you have time to think about it.The Dawn Chorus: Which Birds Sing First Each Morning (And Why)Every morning, as the first light touches the sky, birds like the American Robin and Northern Cardinal begin their symphony. But why do they choose dawn for their most vigorous singing?