North America is not short of captivating birds. Whether resident species or fleeting migratory visitors from elsewhere, U.S. birdlife is rich and rewarding.

One native species that gardeners in some regions may see more of now, is the cedar waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum). Why? Because these birds 'flock up' in the fall – and love berries. What's more, fall fruits can sustain them for some time.

Growing plants for birds is one of the best ways to encourage cedar waxwings to your yard. From shrubs, like this silky dogwood from Plant Addicts, to hawthorns and serviceberries, find out the fall favorites for these fruit-loving birds, according to experts.

Why You May Notice More Cedar Waxwings in the Fall

Cedar waxwings are resident year-round in the U.S., but their presence can be seen in different regions at different times – and not always predictably.

'As with many birds, when they are breeding in the summer, cedar waxwings may become quite difficult to spot, or may even leave your area,' explains Mhairi McFarlane, PhD, Habitat Stewardship Manager, Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

'However, they often start to congregate by late summer and can be found in quite large flocks during the winter. In general, during November, they are present from southern Canada coast to coast and as far south as northern Mexico and the Florida coast. They are sparse or absent in higher and drier desert systems in the west.'

Michael L. P. Retter, Editor, explains that in the summer when cedar waxwings are paired off, they are less likely to flock. 'In fall, they start to flock up, and as fall progresses, the flocks get larger. By winter you can see hundreds of birds together,' he says.

'Generally, cedar waxwings are around in the southern tier in the winter and in the northern tier in the summer. However, these frugivorous birds have to go where the fruit is,' says Michael.

'If it's been a good year for setting fruit, they will stick around, but if there has been a drought and there isn't much, they will move on, even to somewhere new. Their movements can be rather nomadic.'

What Attracts Cedar Waxwings?

As already outlined, these birds love fruit – and unlike many other avians – can survive on this diet for several months. Native trees, shrubs and plants with fall or winter berries are a "must-have" if you want to encourage cedar waxwings to your yard in November.

'Native fruit producing trees, shrubs and vines will attract and support cedar waxwings, and other birds,' says Mhairi. 'Select native plants which have fruit which persists as late as possible, including cedar, hawthorn and winterberry.

'Ideally, if you have space, include different native species which flower and fruit at different times, so you can support birds for longer.'

Native to North America, the appropriately named winterberry from Plant Addicts produces bright red berries through fall into winter. While the black berries on this Autumn Brilliance serviceberry tree from Nature Hill's attracts multiple bird species.

'Mulberries, native grapes, blackberries, hackberries, serviceberries and raspberries are their favorites,' says Michael. 'On the west coast, cedar waxwings love Toyon; they also eat juniper. In the eastern US and Canada, they love eastern red cedar, which is where they get their name from as they're often seen eating the cones.'

'Ornamental shrubs and trees in gardens with fruit and berries that remain on the plant into the late fall or winter could be a magnet for this nomadic species,' says Steve Roels, program director, American Bird Conservancy. 'A flock of waxwings could potentially show up in your garden if such fruit is abundant.'

How to Make Your Yard More Welcoming for Cedar Waxwings

Growing the trees and shrubs mentioned (that are native to your region), with staggered fruiting times, is the best way to support and encourage these charming creatures.

'Succession planting is ideal,' says Michael. 'We have a lot of native hollies in the U.S., so those are a good choice. In southern parts cedar waxwings adore Yaupon holly. In cooler areas out west, they love mountain ash too.'

Although cedar waxwings can survive on fruit alone for a while, they do eat insects and invertebrates too. Creating a welcoming habitat where these social birds can flock and forage for a protein source will also bring more of them to your yard.

'Cedar waxwings love fruit and eat it year-round, but they also supplement their diet with insects,' says Mhairi. 'Growing a suite of native plants supports the insect community which they and other birds need. A good mix would be native trees and shrubs which produce fruit, along with some native grasses and wildflowers to support a more complete ecosystem.'

Native to large swathes of the USA, this Blond Ambition Blue Grama Grass from Nature Hill's thrives in zones 3-10 and attracts pollinators and songbirds.

Garden ponds, water features and bird baths all offer opportunities for cedar waxwings and other overwintering avians to sip and splash around, which is integral for their survival.

'Of course, the best thing we can do is plant their native food sources,' says Michael. 'But water is important, and particularly so for waxwings because of their fruit diet. When it's cold they start eating desiccated, dried and even fermented fruits. So they need to be hydrated in order to process it.'

Bird baths that are large, wide, and relatively shallow are best for these andmay other birds. 'At this time of year, cedar waxwings often rove around in flocks, so that gives everyone some space to bathe,' says Mhairi.

'In general, large water features, with a variety of depths, can support the largest variety of wildlife. Just make sure there are some shallow spots, with some rocks or logs in deeper zones to help smaller species clamber in and out.'

Mhairi recommends that any ground-mounted systems have some open, clear sides. 'This is so that birds have a good view of any approaching predators, and a clear escape route,' she says.

This large river stone bird bath from Etsy can be placed on the ground and can withstand all of the elements.

As worthwhile as growing the native trees, shrubs and plants that cedar waxwings thrive on, is avoiding those that harm them. These tend to be non-native species.

'Given the chance, cedar waxwings will eat (heavenly bamboo),' says Michael. 'It has beautiful coral red fruits, but they are toxic to cedar waxwings as these birds didn't evolve to eat them.

'Another imported plant to avoid, that they love, is privet. It's not toxic to them but it's destructive to their habitat. Privet destroys woodlands and smothers out native plants that fruit at different times, leaving a monoculture that fruits for three weeks, so there is nothing left for them to eat.

'The same thing happens in the north with amur honeysuckle and tatarian honeysuckle, so they are best avoided too.'

'Taking care to plant only native shrubs for this species is best, because waxwings will readily disperse seeds and can facilitate the spread of non-native invasive shrubs like Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii) and Amur Honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii),' adds Steve.

'Chemical analyses of fruits have shown that native shrubs tend to produce more nutrient-rich fruits than invasive plant species as well. Servicebery ( spp.) Winterberry (Ilex verticillata), American Mountain Ash (Sorbus americana), and native hawthorns ( spp.) are attractive shrubs and small trees that will bring in Cedar Waxwings.'

What to Shop

Michael explains that because these birds eat fermented fruit and travel in big flocks, they're sometimes inebriated and distracted by their flock mates. 'A tipsy waxwing is more likely to fly into your window and kill itself than other bird species,' he says. 'It's common in late winter when fruit has fermented to find a group of waxwings that have perished from hitting a window.'

Michael recommends creating patterns of dots or lines on windows, whether applied with stickers, transfers or just a marker pen.

'Spacing dots or lines around 1.5-2 inches apart is very effective,' he says. 'Having a regular pattern breaks up the reflection that they are seeing. Windows and cats are the biggest cause of bird fatalities.'

'As a species that is very comfortable around our homes, it is important to note that waxwings are at risk from outdoor cats,' says Steve. 'They are especially vulnerable when feeding on low shrubs close to the ground. The easiest way to keep wild birds safe is to keep pet cats indoors.

'The landscaping that brings waxwings into our yards also increases the risk of window collisions. Treating home windows is an easy, inexpensive step and a problem anyone can help solve.'

This Avi-Dot bird saver window stencil from Etsy enables you to easily mark windows with removable dots, during migration seasons and other times when birds flock in large groups and are more prone to window strikes.

If cedar waxwings are resident in your region this season, the best way to feed these birds in winter is by growing their favorite native fruits and berries. Consider other ways to help them too, such as preventing window strikes, providing water, keeping cats indoors and removing harmful plants.

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