<P> Cedar waxwings are medium - sized birds approximately 6 -- 7 in ( 15 -- 18 cm ) long and weighing roughly 30 g ( 1.1 oz ) . They are smaller and browner than their close relative , the Bohemian waxwing ( which breeds farther to the north and west ) . Their markings are a `` silky , shiny collection of brown , gray , and lemon - yellow , accented with a subdued crest , rakish black mask , and brilliant - red wax droplets on the wing feathers . '' These droplets may be the same color as the madrone berries they are known to eat . These birds ' most prominent feature is this small cluster of red wax - like droplets on tips of secondary flight feathers on the wings , a feature they share with the Bohemian waxwing ( but not the Japanese waxwing ) . The wings are `` broad and pointed , like a starling 's . '' The tail is typically yellow or orange depending on diet . Birds that have fed on berries of introduced Eurasian honeysuckles while growing tail feathers will have darker orange - tipped tail - feathers . The tail is somewhat short , and square - tipped . Adults have a pale yellow belly . The waxwing 's crest often `` lies flat and droops over the back of the head . '' It has a short and wide bill . The waxwing 's black mask has a thin white border . Immature birds are streaked on the throat and flanks , and often do not have the black mask of the adults . Males and females look alike . </P>
<P> Cedar waxwings are medium - sized birds approximately 6 -- 7 in ( 15 -- 18 cm ) long and weighing roughly 30 g ( 1.1 oz ) . They are smaller and browner than their close relative , the Bohemian waxwing ( which breeds farther to the north and west ) . Their markings are a `` silky , shiny collection of brown , gray , and lemon - yellow , accented with a subdued crest , rakish black mask , and brilliant - red wax droplets on the wing feathers . '' These droplets may be the same color as the madrone berries they are known to eat . These birds ' most prominent feature is this small cluster of red wax - like droplets on tips of secondary flight feathers on the wings , a feature they share with the Bohemian waxwing ( but not the Japanese waxwing ) . The wings are `` broad and pointed , like a starling 's . '' The tail is typically yellow or orange depending on diet . Birds that have fed on berries of introduced Eurasian honeysuckles while growing tail feathers will have darker orange - tipped tail - feathers . The tail is somewhat short , and square - tipped . Adults have a pale yellow belly . The waxwing 's crest often `` lies flat and droops over the back of the head . '' It has a short and wide bill . The waxwing 's black mask has a thin white border . Immature birds are streaked on the throat and flanks , and often do not have the black mask of the adults . Males and females look alike . </P>
brown bird with yellow tipped tail and red tipped wings
brown bird with yellow tipped tail and red tipped wings
Cedar waxwings
Cedar waxwings