Quick Answer
Cedar waxwings are beautiful birds, but they do not make good pets. Cedar waxwings are wild birds that are meant to live freely in nature. Keeping one as a pet would be illegal, unethical and impractical.
Overview of Cedar Waxwings
The cedar waxwing is a medium-sized songbird that is common across North America. Here are some key facts about cedar waxwings:
- Scientific name: Bombycilla cedrorum
- Length: 6.5-7.5 inches
- Weight: 30-40 grams
- Coloration: Light brown overall with yellow and red tips on wings and tail
- Distinctive features: Crest on head, black mask around eyes, pale yellow belly
- Habitat: Open woodlands, orchards, farms, parks
- Range: Throughout the United States and Canada
- Diet: Fruits, berries, insects
- Behavior: Social, travels in flocks of 20-100 birds
Cedar waxwings get their name from the waxy red tips on their secondary wing feathers. These colorful accents make them one of the most visually striking wild birds in North America.
Reasons Cedar Waxwings Don’t Make Good Pets
While cedar waxwings are very beautiful birds, there are several compelling reasons why they do not make good pets:
It is illegal
In the United States and Canada, it is against the law to keep native wild birds like cedar waxwings as pets. Cedar waxwings are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which makes it illegal to trap, kill or possess them without a permit. Only trained, licensed professionals can legally keep cedar waxwings.
They are highly social flock birds
Cedar waxwings naturally live in large flocks of up to 100 birds. They are very social and communicate constantly with one another. A solitary waxwing in captivity would be very stressed and lonely. Their complex social needs could not be met by a human owner.
They have specialized diets
Cedar waxwings eat a diet primarily of fruits and berries. They especially rely on wax myrtle, juniper, and cedar fruits. It would be challenging for an owner to replicate this diverse, seasonal diet. Lack of an appropriate diet can lead to malnutrition and death.
They need a large habitat
In the wild, cedar waxwings range widely in search of food sources. A captive waxwing would need an extremely large aviary to fly around in. Most pet owners would lack the space and resources to provide an adequately sized habitat.
They are highly sensitive to stress
Wild cedar waxwings are very timid birds that startle and flock away easily. Captivity and human handling tends to be highly stressful on them. Chronic stress weakens waxwings’ immune systems and shortens their lifespan.
They can carry disease
Cedar waxwings are prone to certain contagious avian diseases like salmonellosis and avian pox. A contagious waxwing poses a health risk to other pet birds. Proper quarantine and testing could help reduce this risk.
Legal and Ethical Problems
Beyond the impracticalities of keeping cedar waxwings as pets, there are legal and ethical reasons to avoid doing so:
Federal laws
As mentioned earlier, it is illegal to capture, possess or sell cedar waxwings without special permits. Only trained researchers and rehabilitators can legally keep them under limited circumstances. Penalties can include fines up to $15,000 and jail time.
State and local laws
Most U.S. states and Canadian provinces ban possession of native wild birds. Even if federal law didn’t prohibit it, state or local statutes would make keeping waxwings illegal for nearly all pet owners.
Wildlife conservation ethics
Conservationists oppose keeping native wild animals as pets. Removing waxwings from the wild damages local ecosystems. It also supports illegal wildlife trafficking if birds are smuggled. Most experts recommend leaving wild birds in nature.
Animal welfare concerns
Cedar waxwings do not adapt well to captivity. Keeping one alone in a cage would go against animal welfare standards. Modern pet care emphasizes providing good quality of life for animals. For waxwings, this means living freely in nature.
Sustainability issues
Waxwing populations face habitat loss from factors like climate change and development. Removing wild birds for the pet trade could compound population declines. Sustainability requires preserving waxwings in their natural environments.
Purchasing Cedar Waxwings
While it is illegal and unethical to capture wild cedar waxwings, some people may seek to purchase them. Here are reasons to avoid buying waxwings:
Lack of captive-bred birds
There are virtually no cedar waxwing breeders, so most birds for sale are illegally caught from the wild. This supports detrimental wildlife trafficking and depletion of natural populations.
High mortality rates
Illegally caught waxwings often die soon after sale or transit. They frequently succumb to trauma, malnutrition, or illness because of the stress of captivity.
Prohibitive expense
Few waxwings are available for purchase. Prices typically range from $600-$2,500 per bird. Most people cannot afford this expense for an impractical pet.
Misrepresentation by sellers
Disreputable sellers may falsely claim waxwings are captive-bred when they are actually poached from the wild. Lack of regulation enables this misrepresentation and illegal trade.
Poor treatment by sellers
Wild birds captured for sale are often mistreated by traffickers. Waxwings arefragile songbirds that require careful handling to minimize stress and injury. Most traffickers do not take proper care of them.
The best way to admire cedar waxwings is by observing them in wild habitats. Purchasing them only supports an illegal and inhumane trade.
Requirements for Keeping Cedar Waxwings
On the very rare chance that someone has legal permission to keep a cedar waxwing, meeting proper care requirements would be demanding:
Permitting and oversight
In the U.S. and Canada, permits from federal and state/provincial wildlife agencies would be essential. Regular site inspections may also be required to ensure compliance with regulations.
Veterinary care
A qualified avian veterinarian would need to regularly examine the waxwing and administer any necessary medications or treatments. Many vets would refuse to handle a bird obtained illegally.
Facilities
A huge, enriched aviary would be needed to allow flight and natural behaviors. Proper ventilation, lighting, temperature control, and sanitation are vital. Few pet owners have the resources to construct proper housing.
Flock socialization
At minimum, the waxwing should be housed with other compatible species like Bohemian waxwings. Social flocking birds housed alone typically show signs of distress.
Specialist diet
Cedar waxwings eat mainly fruit supplemented with protein-rich insects. Meeting nutritional needs requires specialized knowledge of wild bird diets. Incorrect foods can lead to malnutrition and illness.
Environmental enrichment
The aviary would need features like birdbaths, foliage, rocks, logs, and toys to engage natural behaviors. Stimulating their active minds reduces stress and improves quality of life.
Training and handling
Gentle handling from a young age could allow the waxwing to become somewhat tame and accustomed to humans. Even then, they tend to be high-strung and easily frightened.
Permits for display
Additional permits may be required to use the waxwing for educational display, photography, advertising or other commercial purposes. Regulations for this type of use are strict.
Admiring Cedar Waxwings in the Wild
For people who do not work in avian research or wildlife rehabilitation, the best way to enjoy cedar waxwings is by observing them in natural habitats:
Backyard feeding and landscaping
You may be able to attract waxwings to your yard by providing fruit trees, berry bushes, and flowering plants. Running water like a fountain or mister also appeals to them.
Parks and nature reserves
Look for waxwings in open woodlands, especially those with junipers, cedars, serviceberries and orchards. Berries like dogwood, mulberry, and pokeweed draw them in.
Farms
Waxwings often flock to farms, orchards, and vineyards to feed on fruits. They especially like cherries, apples, oranges, and grapes.
Urban areas
Cedar waxwings adapt readily to towns and cities. Check street trees, landscaping plants, and backyard fruit trees for these striking birds.
Bird feeders
Although waxwings eat mainly fruit, they will occasionally visit feeders with small berries or diced fruit. They prefer platform feeders with perches.
Water features
Waxwings like to bathe and drink from fountains, ponds, lakes, and streams. Features with moving water are especially attractive.
The beauty of wild waxwings is observing them freely engage in natural behaviors. With some creativity, you may be able to attract them without capturing them.
Conclusion
Cedar waxwings are captivating wild birds, but they do not make suitable pets. Removing them from the wild is illegal and threatens vulnerable populations. Even with permits, proper waxwing care requires expertise, facilities and resources far beyond those of the average pet owner.
To avoid supporting detrimental wildlife trafficking, never purchase wild-caught waxwings from irresponsible sellers. Instead, learn to attract waxwings to your yard with native plantings. Or head out to parks and nature reserves to admire them behaving naturally in the wild. With some persistence and luck, you will get to see one of North America’s most exquisite songbirds up close.