Winter Birds and Fruit as Food

Posted by Georgene A. Bramlage Jan 30, 2009

Bird activity in the beautifully planted southwest VA community where I now live prompted me to write the article Winter Berries in Southern Landscape Gardens. January was a kaleidoscope of color as different birds flock together and swoop down to feast on heaviy-laden trees.

By January 19, cedar waxwings had gathered in full force to feed on maturing fruit. It was exciting to watch their feasting on crabapples. The downside of this was that in their excitement many hit glass enclosing a swimming pool. There were some fatalities, but many were just shocked and quickly recovered.

The following week, they feasted on berries from hawthorns and hollies. Cedar waxwings congregate in large flocks and roost at the tops of large deciduous trees like maples, oaks, and Bradford pears. They fly in a rising and falling pattern and startle easily. However, they quickly return to trees where they are feeding. Their constant call is a high-pitched whistling sound like "scree".

By January 27, this week, three other kinds of birds – American robins, European starlings and Eastern bluebirds - joined Cedar waxwings in eating fruit from hawthorn, holly, and crabapple trees. Robins and bluebirds eat fruit right off the trees; starlings pick up dropped fruit below trees. They eat fruit from the tops of the trees downward. All of them have also been seen visiting local feeders and birdbaths.