Hi Bob,
 I think it is diet related, at least that's what I recall from my reading. I think Peterson describes this in one of the older versions of his Eastern guide. I don't remember seeing that particular color varient in waxwings, though I have seen an "orange" color varient of Yellow-breasted Chat. The yellow was replaced by a rich orange color, making the bird look, at first glance, like a Baltimore Oriole. There was one I saw along Triadelphia Lake Rd. many years ago, a very striking individual. 

Also, I think I remember reading that Scarlet Tanagers can exhibit this same color phenomenon, to a lesser degree, presumably also diet realated. I think from eating honeysuckle berries, but I could be wrong.

Rick Sussman
Woodbine,MD





-----Original Message----
From: Bob Mumford <>
To: 
Sent: Tue, May 18, 2010 7:03 pm
Subject: [MDOSPREY] Variant Waxwing


This morning Howard Youth and I birded Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens in the  
ain.  Howard is back for a short visit from Ecuador.  

hile on the boardwalk, we observed a small flock of Cedar Waxwings and  
hen noticed that one had an orange tip on the tail.  Others in the group  had 
he usual yellow tip.  Sibley says this variant tail is "presumably  diet 
elated."  Perhaps this bird was feasting on the world famous  Anacostia 
iver crustaceans.

he weird thing about this from my perspective is that I had just read  
bout this variant in Sibley on Sunday, after viewing a very large flock of  
axwings along the C&O Towpath.

 wonder whether others have observed the variant in this area.

ob Mumford
arnestown