Epic Battle for Berries: Cedar Waxwings Takeover Holly Tree!

Epic Battle for Berries: Cedar Waxwings Takeover Holly Tree!

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Arrival of Cedar Waxwings
3. The Battle for the Berries
   1. Robins and Mockingbirds vs. Cedar Waxwings
   2. The Waxwing Takeover
   3. Complaints of the Robins
   4. A Lone Altercation
4. The Waxwing Strategy
   1. Working Together
   2. A Quick and Efficient Feeding Style
   3. likened to Hummingbirds and Croissants
   4. Staying on High Alert
5. The Nomadic Life of the Cedar Waxwings
   1. A Love for Berries
   2. The Search for New Food Sources
6. The Clean-up Duty
   1. Stripped Tree and Ground Feeding
   2. Examining the Waxwings' Unique Features
   3. The Waxwings' Colorful Markings
7. Restoring Peace to the Holly Tree
   1. The Empty Tree and its New Residents
   2. The Longing for Former Food Sources
   3. Respecting the Cedar Waxwings

🐦 The Arrival of Cedar Waxwings

Walking just a block from my house, I noticed a holly tree that had caught the attention of some local birds. Mockingbirds and robins found sustenance in its winter berries. However, this year, their peaceful feasting was interrupted by a dozen or so cedar waxwings. The robins and mockingbirds made valiant attempts to defend their berry stash, but the newcomers proved too numerous to repel.

🍒 The Battle for the Berries

The cedar waxwings quickly gathered in large numbers, swelling from a dozen to 60 or 70 in a short period. Despite the locals' complaints, the robins and mockingbirds had no choice but to concede to the invaders. Occasionally, there would be a brief altercation, but for the most part, the waxwings worked together, picking a section of the tree and swiftly devouring every berry within reach.

1. Robins and Mockingbirds vs. Cedar Waxwings

The robins and mockingbirds, considering the holly tree their feeding ground, put up a fight against the invading cedar waxwings. However, the waxwings, with their overwhelming numbers, soon established dominance and forced the local birds to give in.

2. The Waxwing Takeover

As the waxwings multiplied, their synchronized feeding strategy became evident. They focused on specific areas of the tree, quickly consuming the berries before moving to the next spot. This efficient approach ensured that no berry went to waste and allowed them to cover the tree systematically.

3. Complaints of the Robins

Throughout the day, the robins expressed their discontent with the new residents. Their protests mirrored their fruitless attempts to defend their territory. The waxwings, however, remained unfazed.

4. A Lone Altercation

Amidst the harmonious feeding, a lone waxwing's audacity pushed its luck too far, landing too close to a robin. In response, the indignant robin swiftly ejected the presumptuous waxwing, reclaiming a momentary victory.

🌿 The Waxwing Strategy

The waxwings employed a strategy that mirrored a well-organized crew of farm workers in a field—efficiently working together to ensure maximum productivity. They navigated the holly tree from top to bottom, hoovering up every berry within reach within seconds before moving on to a nearby spot.

1. Working Together

Rather than meandering aimlessly, the waxwings selected a specific section of the tree to work on collectively. This strategy prevented berries from being missed and ensured that each waxwing had access to multiple berries from a single location.

2. A Quick and Efficient Feeding Style

The waxwings' feeding style was remarkable in its speed and precision. Each bird would gulp down a berry, followed by several more in quick succession. They would then flee the area, making room for their companions. Observing them was akin to watching hummingbirds feed.

3. likened to Hummingbirds and Croissants

Renowned birding author Pete Dunn noted how the waxwings' aerial movements during their feeding frenzy resembled those of hummingbirds. Their swift raids on the berries, coupled with their petite size and agility, made for an impressive spectacle. Dunn humorously referred to them as flying croissants with wings.

4. Staying on High Alert

Between their foraging sorties, the waxwings perched on the highest nearby trees. This strategic positioning served as an excellent lookout for any potential threats, particularly hawks. With so many waxwings gathered in one place, the presence of a hawk would undoubtedly draw their attention and trigger a swift reaction.

🌍 The Nomadic Life of the Cedar Waxwings

Cedar waxwings are highly social birds whose diet primarily consists of fruit, with the exception of a few flying insects during warm weather. This reliance on fruit necessitates a nomadic existence, as they continuously search for new sources of berries.

1. A Love for Berries

Berries are the lifeblood of cedar waxwings, providing them with essential nutrients and sustenance. They have become specialists in locating and quickly exploiting fruit-bearing trees and shrubs. Their nomadic lifestyle requires them to keep moving in search of food.

2. The Search for New Food Sources

As the hours passed on that drizzly March day, the cedar waxwings thoroughly depleted the holly tree of its berries. What had been a fruitful feeding ground for the robins and mockingbirds became desolate. With their food source exhausted, the waxwings began their search for the next bountiful berry tree.

🧹 The Clean-up Duty

Having consumed every berry from the holly tree, the waxwings shifted their focus to the ground. Many berries had fallen over time and were now part of the clean-up duty. The waxwings pecked at the fallen berries, making sure not to miss a single one.

1. Stripped Tree and Ground Feeding

With the holly tree bare, the local robins and mockingbirds could once again find solace in the tree and its surroundings. However, they had lost their primary food source. The waxwings, on the other hand, continued their ground-feeding cleanup duty until not a single berry remained.

2. Examining the Waxwings' Unique Features

Observing the waxwings up close during their ground feeding provided an opportunity to appreciate their distinctive and distinguished appearance. The party mask-like markings on their faces, along with the red spots on their wings, gave them a unique and striking appearance.

3. The Waxwings' Colorful Markings

The red spots on the wings of the cedar waxwings are a result of carotenoids found in the berries they consume. Interestingly, the mature birds display larger patches of color, suggesting that these vibrant markings may serve as status symbols within the tribe.

👥 Restoring Peace to the Holly Tree

With the waxwings gone in search of their next berry feast, the holly tree and its environs returned to a state of tranquility. The robins and mockingbirds could once again enjoy the tree without any territorial disputes. However, they would long for the abundant food supply that the waxwings had effectively plundered.

1. The Empty Tree and Its New Residents

The absence of the waxwings meant that the holly tree had no competition for the robins and mockingbirds. They could now leisurely hang out on the branches, cherishing the peace that had been reinstated.

2. The Longing for Former Food Sources

While the robins and mockingbirds reclaimed their territory, they couldn't help but feel a sense of loss. The berry supply they once relied upon had vanished, leaving them with a longing for the days when the holly tree was abundant with sustenance.

3. Respecting the Cedar Waxwings

Despite the conflicts and the depletion of their food source, the locals couldn't help but have a newfound respect for the cedar waxwings. The waxwings' efficiency, synchronized feeding, and unique markings left a lasting impression, reminding the robins and mockingbirds to appreciate the beauty and resilience of their avian counterparts.

Highlights:

• A holly tree becomes a battleground between robins, mockingbirds, and cedar waxwings.
• The sheer numbers of cedar waxwings overpower the locals, leading to territorial disputes.
• The waxwings employ an efficient feeding strategy, working together to quickly strip the tree of its berries.
• Cedar waxwings are highly nomadic birds, constantly in search of new sources of fruit.
• The waxwings' unique markings and synchronized movements make them a marvel to observe.
• With the departure of the waxwings, the holly tree returns to its former peaceful state, but the robins and mockingbirds long for their once-plentiful food source.

FAQ:

Q: Why did the robins and mockingbirds fail to defend their berry stash against the cedar waxwings?

A: The sheer number of cedar waxwings overwhelmed the local bird population, making it impossible for the robins and mockingbirds to defend their territory effectively.

Q: How did the cedar waxwings feed on the berries?

A: The waxwings would swiftly consume each berry within seconds, often moving on to a new spot immediately after. Their feeding style resembled that of hummingbirds.

Q: Why do cedar waxwings have red spots on their wings?

A: The red spots on their wings come from the carotenoids present in the berries they eat. The larger the spots, the more mature the bird.

Q: Will the robins and mockingbirds be able to find new food since the holly tree is now bare?

A: While the robins and mockingbirds can still use the tree, they have lost their primary food source. They will need to search for alternative berry trees in the vicinity.

Q: Do cedar waxwings always travel in large groups?

A: Cedar waxwings are highly social birds and tend to gather in large numbers, especially when they find a rich berry supply. However, the size of the groups can vary depending on the availability of food.