Pink-tailed Cedar Waxwings (1 Viewer)

Fandango739

GeoBird

• Mar 9, 2020

• #1

I had a happy encounter with a flock of Cedar Waxwings yesterday. Out of 176 birds, there was one odd bird out. It had a pink tipped tail. Not orange, pink - just like the pink wing spot. Is this just a genetic fluke? The four leaf clover of Cedar Waxwings? Or is this a regional trait? Or something else completely?

Thanks!!

 

K

Kratter

Well-known member

• Mar 9, 2020

• #2

The tail band in Cedar Waxwings is influenced by diet. Various shades of red or orange (and likely pink) are not uncommon among those feeding on exotic honeysuckle vines during molt in the late summer.

Andy

 

F

fugl

Well-known member

• Mar 9, 2020

• #3

Fandango739 said:

I had a happy encounter with a flock of Cedar Waxwings yesterday. Out of 176 birds, there was one odd bird out. It had a pink tipped tail. Not orange, pink - just like the pink wing spot. Is this just a genetic fluke? The four leaf clover of Cedar Waxwings? Or is this a regional trait? Or something else completely?

Click to expand...

Orange tail tips are a well-known result of the birds eating the berries of an introduced species of honeysuckle during feather growth. Never heard of pink tail tips, however.

 

Last edited: Mar 9, 2020

PYRTLE

Old Berkshire Boy

• Mar 9, 2020

• #4

The thread title suggests more than one (plural). If it is not as a result of diet, then perhaps it could be colour painted ( for study purposes ), a common but old practice before the introduction of other means such as satellite / wing / leg tagging. Certain areas of the plumage were dyed with a highly visible colour for easier location when scanning flocks......though I highly doubt this practice is still continued.

 

Last edited: Mar 9, 2020

Nutcracker

Stop Brexit!

• Mar 10, 2020

• #5

Was it anything like this Bohemian Waxwing with a 'waxtail' (red wax tips on some of the tail feathers)?

 

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Fandango739

GeoBird

• Mar 10, 2020

• #6

I remember seeing one in Tennessee a number of years ago that also seemed to have a pink tail tip. As for the one down here... well, this is Florida, the land of exotic and invasive species. Heaven only knows what the bird might have been eating!

Thank you all for sharing your knowledge!

 

K

Kratter

Well-known member

• Mar 10, 2020

• #7

Nutcracker said:

Was it anything like this Bohemian Waxwing with a 'waxtail' (red wax tips on some of the tail feathers)?

Click to expand...

We see this on Cedar Waxwings sometimes.

Andy