cedar waxwing: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal / Technical (Ornithology) / Neutral (in birdwatching contexts)
Quick answer
What does “cedar waxwing” mean?
A medium-sized, crested songbird (Bombycilla cedrorum) of North America with silky brown plumage, a black mask, and waxy red tips on its secondary wing feathers.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A medium-sized, crested songbird (Bombycilla cedrorum) of North America with silky brown plumage, a black mask, and waxy red tips on its secondary wing feathers.
A specific species of bird known for its frugivorous diet, sociable behavior in flocks, and distinctive appearance; often used to represent native North American wildlife, particularly in ornithological and birdwatching contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is used identically in both varieties, as it is the standard English name for a North American species. There is no alternative British-specific name.
Connotations
Carries ornithological/birdwatching connotations in both regions. It may be less familiar to the general British public than to North Americans, for whom it is a native bird.
Frequency
Higher frequency in North American English due to the bird's native range. It is a specialized term in British English, used primarily by birdwatchers, ornithologists, and wildlife enthusiasts.
Grammar
How to Use “cedar waxwing” in a Sentence
[Subject: Bird/Person] + verb (e.g., see, spot, identify) + [Direct Object: the cedar waxwing][Subject: Cedar waxwing] + verb (e.g., feeds, perches, migrates) + [Prepositional Phrase: on berries/in a tree]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except potentially in nature tourism or outdoor equipment marketing.
Academic
Used in biology, zoology, ecology, and ornithology papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Used by birdwatchers, gardeners, and nature enthusiasts. Uncommon in general casual conversation.
Technical
Standard term in field guides, conservation studies, and avian research.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cedar waxwing”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cedar waxwing”
- Incorrect pluralization: 'cedar waxwingses'. Correct: 'cedar waxwings'.
- Misspelling as 'cedar wax wing' (as three separate words). Correct: 'cedar waxwing' or 'cedar-waxwing'.
- Confusing it with the 'Bohemian waxwing' (Bombycilla garrulus), a related Eurasian and northern species.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are two different species. The cedar waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) is native to North America, is smaller, has a white under-tail, and a yellow belly. The Bohemian waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus) is found in northern Eurasia and northwestern North America, is larger, and has rusty red under-tail coverts and white and yellow wing markings.
They are primarily frugivores, meaning they eat fruit and berries (e.g., cedar, juniper, dogwood, serviceberry). They also eat insects, especially during the summer breeding season, which they often catch in aerial sorties.
They are named for the unique, red, waxy-looking secretions on the tips of their secondary flight feathers. The biological function of these tips is not fully understood but may play a role in mating displays or signaling age.
They are common and widespread throughout their range in North America. Their populations are considered stable, and they are classified as a species of 'Least Concern' by conservation organizations.
A medium-sized, crested songbird (Bombycilla cedrorum) of North America with silky brown plumage, a black mask, and waxy red tips on its secondary wing feathers.
Cedar waxwing is usually formal / technical (ornithology) / neutral (in birdwatching contexts) in register.
Cedar waxwing: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsiː.də ˈwæks.wɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsiː.dɚ ˈwæks.wɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a bird wearing a waxy, red-tipped coat, sitting in a cedar tree. 'Cedar' for where it finds food, 'waxwing' for the unique, seal-like red tips on its wings.
Conceptual Metaphor
Often metaphorically associated with elegance, sociability (flocking), and a refined or 'smooth' appearance due to its silky plumage.
Practice
Quiz
What is the most distinctive physical feature that gives the cedar waxwing part of its name?