Carnivory observed in the Cedar Waxwing.

Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) Science Article 2

abstract

I observed an adult Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) fly to a tree branch approximately 12 m above the ground with an unidentified nestling bird in its bill. Through 7 X 35 binoculars it appeared the nestling was naked, approximately 3 cm in length and being held by the tail. It had been eviscerated, with the stomach hanging down to one side. The Cedar Waxwing paused briefly after landing, then swallowed the nestling whole in approximately three successive swallowing motions. Cedar Waxwings are frugivorous, with the exception of a relatively small proportion of invertebrate prey (Tyler 1950). To my knowledge, carnivory has not been reported for this species.

DAVID I. KING, Wilson Bull., 108(2), 1996, pp. 381-382

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