The Cedar Waxwing or Bohemian Waxwing have always been an elusive favorite of mine. I mean look at how cute and unique looking they are. I have always wanted to see them in the wild. I have traveled to places where I have been told they are in abundance and I have never been luck enough to spot any of them. So many of my birding friends have told me of all the Waxwings they come across, not far from where I live or where I have traveled and still they have eluded me until the last day of my awful Covid vacation recently! Let me tell you what happened!
Needless to say, I was very ill during my recent family beach vacation and I was in quarantine the entire time, unable to enjoy any time with my family or at the beach. I did have a lovely view of the beach, the ocean and the bay from my balcony, but spent much of my time in my bed with a high fever until I could gain enough strength to drive home with my little dog Bailey Marie. On the day that I decided that I would be able to make the drive home and after much fever reducer and fluids, I took Bailey Marie for one last walk down the block to relieve herself before the drive. As we were walking, the leash almost taut, a Cedar Waxwing landed on the leash, holding on as if it were her own personal tightrope. She held on all the way down the block as Bailey Marie and I walked, swaying back and forth with the motion of the leash; Bailey Marie none the wiser to the little visitor just above her head. I watched this beautiful creature in amazement, awe and disbelief that I was being blessed with this magical moment. I have been thinking about her for the last week.
Cedar Waxwings are about the size of a Northern Cardinal. Much smaller than I thought they would be. I always thought they would be closer to the size of a Blue Jay. They are dainty and delicate. The pops of yellow and red on their smokey outer color remind me of fun and joy. Their smokey gray color portends to a form or protection along with the little masks they wear bring an air of mystery to them as if they are holding a secret, unwilling to reveal themselves fully or about to attend a jovial masquerade party. Besides those obvious tells, I know they like to travel in large groups and they enjoy nuts and berries from the bounties they find along the way; a varied diet that is as vibrant as they are. They have a very high pitched chirp that rises as falls in waves and can often sound like a cricket or spring peeper frogs that we hear at night. The pitch of their calls is almost piercing to the ears. Since this little one graced me with her beauty and visit during my walk, I knew that she was bringing me a message that I would surely need to heed. Could it be health related? Was it to be a Sign of better days to come and turn around after such a harrowing vacation of illness? My first thought was that it had to be good news. She swung on the leash as we walked with such ease and joy, could balance be one of her messages as she was able to balance so well on the moving leash? It gave her a place to rest for a moment while we moved forward. Also, it is very rare for a Cedar Waxwing to be on their own as they are usually always in a flock and do not usually travel solo.
Now let’s explore some of the Spiritual and Magical meanings of encountering a Cedar Waxwing. edar waxwings play an important role in nature by helping to pollinate trees and plants. As totem animals, they remind us to enjoy life’s simple pleasures and to take time to appreciate the beauty around us. In addition, cedar waxwing spiritual meaning can teach us about balance, patience, and self-reliance. May you find peace and solace among the cedar waxwings. the cedar waxwing is often seen as a symbol of balance. This is because these birds are known to live in harmony with their surroundings. In addition, cedar waxwings are thought to possess great patience and fortitude. They are also considered very self-reliant, which is another important trait to embody. They often appear during turmoil or strife, reminding us to remain calm and find our inner center.
The Celts hold the cedar waxwing in high regard, seeing it as a symbol of hope and rebirth. In particular, they believed that these birds represented the spirit of hope and that the waxwing was a messenger of new beginnings. In some Celtic traditions, this bird is seen as an omen of bad things to come; however, this is typically only when the waxwing appears in large numbers. When this happens, it is often seen as a sign that something big is about to happen, either good or bad.
In Far Eastern cultures, the cedar waxwing is often seen as a symbol of good fortune. These birds bring luck and prosperity to those who cross their path. In addition, the cedar waxwing is also associated with longevity and wisdom. It is believed that these birds can help us to tap into our inner wisdom and to live a long and prosperous life.
The cedar waxwing is also seen as a symbol of friendship in many cultures. This is because these birds are known to be very social creatures. They often travel in flocks and are always seen working together. This makes them the perfect symbol for those who value friendship and teamwork.
The cedar waxwing also has a special place in Greek mythology. In this culture, the cedar waxwing is seen as a symbol of love and affection. This is because these birds are known to mate for life and to care for their young diligently. Additionally, the cedar waxwing is also associated with the Greek god Dionysus, the god of wine. These birds are often seen drinking fermented fruit in mid-flight and seem to have a great appreciation for all things sweet and delicious! Overall, the cedar waxwing has a special significance in many different cultures. Whether you see this bird as a symbol of balance, patience, or self-reliance, there is no doubt that the cedar waxwing has much to teach us.
When you look at the Waxwing’s head, it appears as if masked, another allusion to confidentiality with some mystery and the art of disguise thrown in for good measure. For nesting, Waxwings prefer the Rowan (Mountain Ash). The Rowan Tree represents courage, wisdom, and protection. A hardy Apple tree is the Waxwing’s alternative settling spot, indicative of health, happiness, and love. When the trees are close to water, it’s even better. They need plenty of water for processing the sugars in their diet. Sometimes the Waxwings gather overripe berries, becoming intoxicated and unable to fly.
A central message from the Waxwing Spirit Animal focuses on generosity. Ask yourself if someone in your life is genuinely in need. Alternatively, consider a charitable cause you can get behind in the way of support. Remember, giving is not always a matter of money. Time helps, extra hands help, your skills can help. The rewards from such efforts don’t have a price tag; they are priceless. Speaking of gifting, Waxwing Spirit Animal instructs taking an inventory of items you have but no longer need or use. If it’s sat on a shelf for six months without a thought, find a new home graciously. An extra benefit here is removing clutter and opening your space to the flow of positive energies. Third, Waxwing Spirit Animal reminds you to give means receiving as well. Many people find it hard to accept help. Pride or embarrassment gets in the way. However, the Universe values YOU too. Be thankful no matter how small or large the gesture.
Finally, the Waxwing Spirit Animal challenges you to take time in introspection. What masks do you wear in your life, and why? In Shamanic traditions, costumes transform. In other settings, they can deceive or protect. You should remain aware of the masks you don, checking for good intentions.
Cedar Waxwings are social birds that form large flocks and often nest in loose clusters of a dozen or so nests. When feeding on fruits, Cedar Waxwings pluck them one by one and swallow the entire thing at once. They typically feed while perched on a twig, but they’re also good at grabbing berries while hovering briefly just below a bunch. When eating insects, waxwings either fly out from an exposed perch, or make long, zig-zagging flights over water. During courtship, males and females hop towards each other, alternating back and forth and sometimes touching their bills together. Males often pass a small item like a fruit, insect, or flower petal, to the female. After taking the fruit, the female usually hops away and then returns giving back the item to the male. They repeat this a few times until, typically, the female eats the gift. Cedar Waxwings have a strong, steady flight style with fairly constant wingbeats. Cedar Waxwings feed mainly on fruits year-round. In summer, they feed on fruits such as serviceberry, strawberry, mulberry, dogwood, and raspberries. The birds’ name derives from their appetite for cedar berries in winter; they also eat mistletoe, madrone, juniper, mountain ash, honeysuckle, crabapple, hawthorn, and Russian olive fruits. In summer Cedar Waxwings supplement their fruit diet with protein-rich insects including mayflies, dragonflies, and stoneflies, often caught on the wing. They also pick items such as scale insects, spruce budworm, and leaf beetles directly from vegetation.
Photo credits 1st – photo credit Amherst, Rail Trail (10 min from Mill Lane), 04-06-11, ca. 10:30 am-12:45 pm, sunny, Mark II, 400 DO x 2, most with flash. Article credits to What is my spirit animal and spirit animals and symbolism.