Cedar waxwings are beautiful birds native to North America. With their sleek brown plumage, black masks, and bright yellow tail tips, they stand out in backyards and parks. Unfortunately, these sociable birds face threats to their survival. Understanding what kills cedar waxwings can help us protect them.
Top Causes of Cedar Waxwing Deaths
The leading causes of cedar waxwing deaths include:
- Window collisions – Waxwings frequently fly into windows when startled or in pursuit of reflected images.
- Automobile collisions – Waxwings congregate near roads to eat fruit and insects where they risk being struck by cars.
- Cat predation – Outdoor and feral cats kill significant numbers of waxwings each year.
- Pesticides – Waxwings are vulnerable to pesticides and other toxins as they feed on berries and insects.
- Disease – Salmonellosis and trichomoniasis outbreaks occasionally kill waxwings when they gather in large flocks.
Understanding these major mortality factors provides insight into protecting cedar waxwing populations.
Window Collisions
Window collisions are the number one human-related threat to cedar waxwings. Researchers estimate between 365 million to 1 billion birds die from building collisions in the U.S. each year. Cedar waxwings are especially susceptible for several reasons:
- They frequently fly at building height in pursuit of fruit and insects.
- They form large nomadic flocks, increasing chances of multiple birds striking at once.
- They are attracted to reflections of trees and sky in glass.
- They have limited maneuverability in flight due to small wings.
Most window strikes occur during fall and winter months when juvenile waxwings join flocks. The combination of inexperience and larger flock sizes leads to more collisions. Homeowners can help reduce window strikes by installing screens, closing blinds, using bird deterrent tape, reducing vegetation near windows, and turning off unnecessary lights at night.
Estimated Annual Cedar Waxwing Window Deaths
Location | Estimated Annual Window Deaths |
---|---|
United States | 27,000 – 54,000 |
Canada | 9,000 – 18,000 |
These estimates indicate window collisions may kill over 1% of the North American cedar waxwing population annually.
Automobile Collisions
After windows, automobiles pose the next greatest collision threat to cedar waxwings. Waxwings frequently feed on berries of trees and shrubs along roads. Additionally, roads provide open space for hawking insects. This habit of foraging near roads exposes waxwings to collisions with cars and trucks. Researchers estimate automobiles kill between 89 million to 340 million birds annually in the U.S. Cedar waxwings comprise a small but significant portion of these deaths. Drivers should slow down and pay attention near fruit trees and berry bushes to help reduce waxwing road fatalities.
Peak Months for Waxwing Road Deaths
Month | Reason |
---|---|
June – August | Fledglings foraging near roads |
September – November | Fall migrations and fruit eating |
February – March | Late winter berry consumption |
Being extra vigilant during these months can help reduce waxwing road fatalities.
Cat Predation
Outdoor and feral cats pose a significant predation threat to cedar waxwings. One study estimated outdoor cats in the U.S. kill between 1.3 to 4 billion birds annually. Waxwings are vulnerable to cat attacks when feeding on berries in shrubs and visiting bird feeders. Keeping pet cats indoors helps protect local waxwings and other birds. Trap-neuter-return programs can humanely reduce feral cat populations over time.
Cedar Waxwing Vulnerabilities to Cat Predation
- Ground feeding habits – Waxwings walk on the ground under fruit trees and bushes where cats can ambush them.
- Flock feeding – Cats can prey on multiple waxwings at once when feeding in groups.
- Urban tolerance – Waxwings use bird feeders in urban areas with high cat densities.
- Limited flight speed – Waxwings cannot quickly escape cats due to their small wings.
Awareness of these vulnerabilities allows conservationists to protect waxwings from cat predation through public education campaigns and promoting responsible pet ownership.
Pesticide Poisoning
Cedar waxwings face threats from pesticides and other environmental toxins. Waxwings primarily eat fruit and insects. When these food sources are contaminated with pesticides, waxwings ingest the toxins. Even chemicals no longer in use like DDT can still impact waxwings feeding in agricultural areas or near old orchards. Neonicotinoid insecticides used on crops also enter natural food chains with damaging effects on insect-eating birds. Protecting waxwings involves reducing pesticide use and promoting organic agriculture.
Ways Cedar Waxwings Are Exposed to Pesticides
- Eating chemically treated berries and fruits
- Consuming contaminated insects
- Drinking from puddles and ponds containing runoff
- Nesting in trees sprayed with insecticides
Understanding these exposure pathways allows us to mitigate them through improving regulations, reducing spraying, and using safer alternatives.
Disease
While not a primary cause of mortality, disease periodically kills significant numbers of cedar waxwings when outbreaks occur. Salmonellosis and trichomoniasis are two diseases prone to infecting waxwings under certain conditions. Both diseases typically strike in late summer when waxwings gather in large nomadic flocks. The birds spread the illnesses rapidly through shared food and water sources. Providing clean feeders and baths helps reduce disease transmission when outbreaks occur. Sick waxwings also become more prone to window collisions during disease events.
Major Diseases Affecting Cedar Waxwings
Disease | Cause | Symptoms |
---|---|---|
Salmonellosis | Salmonella bacteria | Diarrhea, lethargy, unkempt feathers |
Trichomoniasis | Trichomonad parasite | Lesions in mouth and throat |
Promptly removing dead or dying birds at feeders helps limit these diseases. Sick waxwings should be reported to wildlife rehabilitators.
Protecting Cedar Waxwings
Understanding the major threats cedar waxwings face allows us to take action to protect them. Here are some tips for preserving waxwings:
- Reduce window collisions with screens and deterrents
- Drive cautiously near wildlife food sources
- Keep pet cats indoors and neuter feral cats
- Limit pesticide use in gardens and landscapes
- Provide clean bird feeders and baths
- Report sick or dead waxwings to wildlife agencies
Taking small steps to modify the human-built environment will help cedar waxwing populations thrive.
Conclusion
Cedar waxwings are delightful backyard visitors endemic to North America. However, human impacts and hazards threaten these sociable songbirds. Window collisions, automobile strikes, cat attacks, pesticides, and disease all contribute to waxwing deaths annually. Understanding the major mortality factors allows conservationists to develop policies and programs to protect waxwings. With attention to threats, cedar waxwing populations can be sustained for all to enjoy.