thanks Katy for examining this situation closer! amazingly sad... i bolded all the parts that applied to my experience.
Cedar Waxwings are red berry eaters
They sometimes get drunk eating fermented fruit while visiting the South
By Jay V. Hunter
Journal Correspondent
I grew up in southern Baton Rouge on the fringe of the piney woods in southeastern Louisiana. We had two huge pyracantha bushes in the front yard, one with yellow berries and the other with red berries. With all the thorns, both were major problems for my brothers, father and me to prune. But, in late February or early March, we would watch as flocks of fist-sized brown birds would descend on the bushes and devour all of the berries in the course of a morning attack. That was my early introduction to Cedar Waxwings.
Red yaupon berries brighten our winter piney woods and decorate untended fences along our rural roads. Their conspicuous presence heralds the appearance of beautiful cinnamon brown Cedar Waxings in December in our region. These winter visitors typically arrive in flocks ranging in size from a dozen or so to as many as 200 or more. They are about three-quarters the size of mockingbirds at 7.5 inches in length. They fly in unison in compact flocks that remind a fisherman of schools of shad zigging and zagging in clear water when chased by schooling bass. At one time waxwings are all together moving in a ball and almost instantly they break into smaller groups. They will fly toward a tree or bush at break neck speed and just as it appears they will crash into the branches, they come to abrupt stops and take perches. Their silhouettes are striking with distinct crests on their heads and conical beaks. Close examination with binoculars reveal bright yellow or orange tips on their tails. The color depends on the color of berries they eat in their northern nesting grounds before heading south in the fall.
Take a close look at the waxwings and you'll see bright red tips on their secondary wing feathers. These tips resemble drops of red sealing wax and account for the bird's common name.
Cedar Waxwings eat copious quantities of fruits and berries when visiting us in the piney woods areas of the Deep South. A large flock will descend on a yaupon bush along a fence row or a decorative pyracantha in a backyard and not leave until all berries are consumed. Smaller flocks will return for several days until the berries are gone. Northern Mockingbirds eat large quantities of berries every winter and take charge of the berry bushes in their territories driving off all comers with an exception. Once Cedar Waxwings find a such a bush, their sheer numbers overwhelm the fussing and fighting resident mocker.
Several authorities state that waxwings may actually assist each other to reach berries at the end of a limb. They insist that the bird closest to the berries will pick it and pass it to the next bird who will pass it back so that the last bird on the branch is fed. I have never observed this behavior so cannot attest to whether or not it actually occurs.
As trees and shrubs begin to blossom in late winter and early spring in our piney woods, Cedar Waxwings begin to eat flower petals. They will also "hawk" insects attracted to the flowering plants. That is, they will perch on an exposed branch and dart out to catch flying bugs. Later when nesting, they catch many insects to feed their nestlings who need the animal protein and lipids that cannot be provided by fruits and berries.
Ever heard about waxwings getting drunk by eating fermented fruit? Well, it is true that folks sometimes find waxwings passed out under a berry bush. Some authorities believe that the alcohol in the berries cause this problem. However, other authorities insist that the birds gobble up so many berries that their stuffed stomachs make it impossible for them to breathe causing them to faint.
Cedar Waxwings are a delight to see. They remain with us into May before leaving for their nesting grounds. However, strawberry farmers in Louisiana's Ponchatoula area aren't so happy to see them. The birds can do a great deal of damage to strawberries, pecking at the exterior seeds and ruining those berries. This has created some past public controversy when some farmers failed to secure the assistance of the US Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services to address the problem. Let's just say that they now know the birds are protected by federal and state statutes. Birders are watching to make sure they address damage issues through the proper authorities.
Jay V. Huner, Louisiana Ecrevisse, 428 Hickory Hill Drive
Boyce, Louisiana 71409; 318 793-5529 / piku@classicnet.net
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