Cedar Waxwing

To our surprise the adult Cedar Waxwing that we expected to winter due to an attack by a cat was released. When the bird was attacked he lost all primaries on the right side and was unable to fly. Many birds don’t grow their feathers back until spring molt. To our relief the primaries grew in much quicker. His voracious appetite for our unending supply of berries must have done the trick! The patient and two juveniles were released together on Bent Mountain. Many thanks to Ed Kinser who kept vigilant watch and contacted me when a colony of Cedar Waxwings appeared on his property. Plenty of native berries were available making this a fantastic release site. Great team work helped rehab these Cedar Waxwing’s.