Cedar Waxwing with Rosehip
This Cedar Waxwing found a treasure trove of Rosehips and procured quite a few before moving on from Willow Pond. There is a small park centred on that water body in Airdrie, Alberta, Canada. The red tips on the wing feathers of a mature Cedar Waxwing are wax-like growths coloured by a carotenoid pigment that is found in red fruits. As the birds age, both the number and size of the tips increases. It appears that the tips serve as signals of fitness that come into play during mate selection.
Cedar Waxwing with Rosehip
This Cedar Waxwing found a treasure trove of Rosehips and procured quite a few before moving on from Willow Pond. There is a small park centred on that water body in Airdrie, Alberta, Canada. The red tips on the wing feathers of a mature Cedar Waxwing are wax-like growths coloured by a carotenoid pigment that is found in red fruits. As the birds age, both the number and size of the tips increases. It appears that the tips serve as signals of fitness that come into play during mate selection.