Cedar Waxwing
Eastern Pennsylvania
Easily one of the more stylish birds in the universe, the Cedar is one of two waxwing species that occur in North America—and far more more likely than its cousin the Bohemian to be seen near Philadelphia. This sleek individual is likely a first spring bird: the number of red waxy tips (which actually are comprised of a waxy secretion) mark it as a relative youngster. I usually hear waxwings before I see them; they often stay high in trees; and their high-pitched, squeaky calls, invariably in a chorus because they do everything in groups, carry far.