Hi All,

I'm passing this information along only because I think it's kinda' cool
and some of you might as well.

There are some really thorough studies on the feeding preferences of
waxwings at different times of the year.  Waxwings are considered almost
obligate fruit-eaters.  In fact, they're so specific in their fruit
preference that they're almost incapable of digesting too much else.
They primarily eat fruits high in sugar content.  The reason they're
considered 'almost' obligate fruit-eaters is because they do
occasionally feed on other food items, like the cottonwood catkins
mentioned previously, insects, and even each other (there is a published
study on a single incident of waxwing cannibalism), however their gut is
not efficient at digesting proteins and fats.  Many insects are fed to
nestlings while they're in the nest, and even this is supplemented with
fruit.  

One study suggests that in May, when fruit is scarce, 44% of the diet of
Cedar Waxwings consists of flowers (petals and stamens) (If you've ever
eaten flowers you'll know they have a sweet flavor to them). About 40%
of the diet in May is insects, and only about 30% in June and July.  It
becomes even less (~20%) in August and September.

From October to April 99% of the diet consists of fruit.  Frugivory
declines in May, when fruit is scarce, but increases in June as early
summer fruits became available.

There are mainly five orders of insects that waxwings prefer to eat.
These are Coleoptera (beetles), Hymenoptera (bees, wasps, ants), Diptera
(flies), Lepidoptera (moths, butterflies, etc.), and Hemiptera (true
bugs).  Even these they eat at different times of the year.  For example
scale insects were consumed more often in May and June, and certain
Chrysomelid beetles were eaten in mid-July.

Other "things" found in waxwing guts has included snail shell fragments,
oyster shell fragments, and grit.

Again, just something to look for as you're out watching waxwings this
spring and summer.

Thanks,

Casey
Columbus, OH

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