Bird's-Eye View: In the right light, these birds offer a colorful view

My wife, Mary, first noticed Cedar Waxwings on walks home from teaching school in Mundelein, Ill. On sunny days, flocks would lead her along a local greenway, as they dined on fruits and berries on the edges of adjacent woods and fields. Their social behavior and delicate colors soon won them recognition as Mary's favorite bird.

Many birders have a special fondness for Cedar Waxwings. See them on a gray day, you might think them fairly plain in appearance. But if you see them basking in sunshine, you will notice a rainbow of colors.

Males and females look nearly alike. A gray-brown back and pale-yellow belly are complemented by a bluish tint and a white inner edge on the wings and a rosy brown on the chest. A small waxy red tip on adult wings gives the bird its name. A crested head shows a black chin and bill, and a black mask lined with white. A bright, yellow line marks the end of a short tail. In some northern areas, eating red berries of a species of honeysuckle causes the tail stripe to turn orange.

They love their fruit

To the untrained eye, a flock of waxwings flying overhead can be mistaken for just another group of European Starlings. However, look for the short tail and tail stripe, and the paler belly. Also listen for their high-pitched squealing call as they fly over or come to rest in nearby fruit trees, maples, sycamores or poplars.

In summer, Cedar Waxwings breed mostly across southern Canada, the northern United States and down into the Appalachians, although small numbers also nest in our area. In winter, the search for food moves them to the southern half of the country, Mexico and Central America. Flocks of waxwings move around the Triad and Eastern North Carolina from fall through spring.

Waxwings are frugivorus. In other words, they eat lots of fruit. Especially during winter, they search open woodlands, orchards and residential areas for a variety of berries, such as cedar, holly, dogwood, mulberry, mistletoe, choke cherry and pyracantha. They travel in flocks ranging from a few birds to dozens or even hundreds, devouring all berries in an area before moving on. They have been known to become intoxicated from overripe berries. Waxwings also eat flower petals, and glean insects from tree foliage and snatch them from the air.

Mating and breeding season for Cedar Waxwings does not begin until late spring and lasts through the summer. Much as with humans, food and dancing are important aspects of courtship. The male hops around and passes berries or fruit pieces to a prospective mate. The female demonstrates her interest by hopping in response and passing the fruit back to the male. This exchange may repeat several times. The females choose the nest sites and incubate the eggs, but the males guard the nest and join in feeding the chicks.

Waxwings do not visit seed feeders. They are attracted by fruit-bearing trees and shrubs. If you have few of those, try offering apple pieces, raisins or currants on a platform feeder. In addition, fruit feeders, store-bought or homemade, can be used to attract a variety of birds -- not only waxwings, but also mockingbirds, orioles, robins and others. Waxwings enjoy drinking and socializing at birdbaths. In wintry weather, they also have been observed catching snowflakes -- perhaps for refreshment, perhaps just for fun. Water-edge habitat at several of our local parks and greenways provide good opportunities to find waxwings, if you have no luck at home.

The Bohemian Waxwing is a northern cousin with a winter range that rarely extends below northern portions of the country. Sightings in North Carolina are unlikely, although birders like to check flocks of Cedar Waxwings just in case. Bohemian Waxwings are grayer in color and slightly larger; their tails have white stripes and rufous underparts; and they have more white on their wings.

Project Feeder Watch

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology will conduct Project Feeder Watch between Nov. 8 and April 3.

Data submitted from birders helps scientists study population distributions, and it is a fun activity for young and old alike. A $15 fee supports the program, including your receipt of a participation kit and an annual report.

For more information, log on to www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw.