Nature

Ear-full of waxwings: Birds of the Week

Last spring, I saw this ear-full of waxwings in my yard. A group of Cedar Waxwings, Bombycilla cedrorum, is referred to as an ‘ear-full’ or a ‘museum’. Yes, there are some very strange names for groups of animals.

Why are they called ear-fulls? It may be because of their constant high-pitched calls and trills. I often hear them way before I see them.

Here’s a recording of their calls.

These sociable birds frequently travel in groups. Sometimes these ear-fulls include hundreds of waxwings.

In my yard, they like to perch atop western juniper trees.

They also like to drink and bathe in our water feature.

It’s kinda like a spa for birds. 😉

Birds of the Week

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SoyBend

Centered in Bend, Oregon, my blog branches out into nature, history, and art-related topics.

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