Definition

Noun: A small North American waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) with predominantly brown and gray plumage, a distinctive crest, and often yellow-tipped tail feathers. It is named for its fondness for cedar berries.

Usage and Examples

• The cedarbird is a common sight in flocks during the winter months, feeding on fruit.
• We identified the cedarbird by its sleek crest and the yellow band on its tail.
• Unlike its relative the Bohemian waxwing, the cedarbird has a white undertail and lacks the rusty red coloring.

Advanced Usage

• The term is used primarily in ornithology and birdwatching contexts. It is a common name, with the more formal or scientific alternative being "Cedar Waxwing."
• It can appear in compound nouns describing related concepts, but these are distinct terms (see Variants).

Variants and Related Words

• Cedar Waxwing: The more widely used common name for the same bird species ().
• Waxwing: The broader family name (Bombycillidae) to which the cedarbird belongs.

Synonyms

• Cedar Waxwing
• (scientific name)

Notes on Different Meanings

• "Cedarbird" refers specifically to this single species of bird. It is not a general term for any bird in a cedar tree.
• The name is a compound of "cedar" and "bird," directly referencing its dietary habit.

Noun

1. widely distributed over temperate North America