A waxwing is a beautiful songbird named for the bright red, waxy-looking tips on its wing feathers. These tips look like drops of red sealing wax, the material people once used to seal letters. Three species of waxwings exist: the Bohemian waxwing, the cedar waxwing, and the Japanese waxwing.

Cedar waxwings are common across North America. They have sleek brownish-gray feathers, a black mask across their eyes like a tiny bandit, and a bright yellow band at the tip of their tail. They travel in large, chattering flocks, often descending on berry bushes and fruit trees to feast together. Watch a crabapple tree in winter, and you might suddenly see dozens of waxwings arrive, strip it clean of fruit in minutes, then disappear as quickly as they came.

Waxwings are known for their social behavior. They sometimes pass berries down a line from bird to bird until one finally eats it. Unlike many territorial birds that fight over food, waxwings share with their flock, making them favorites among birdwatchers who admire both their beauty and their cooperative spirit.