This is a fledgling Cedar Waxwing. These stylish birds normally boast grayish brown feathers and are named for their colorful wax-like wing tips which can be seen in this photo. He was found orphaned, away from his family and too young to be on his own. Cedar Waxwings prefer open forests, and are often drawn to the sound of running water. He was initially cared for by Marshfield’s firefighters before being admitted into our hospital. Our veterinarians found him to be just a few weeks too young to be independent, but he is not suffering from any injury or disease. We have placed him into our Noisy baby ward and are currently giving him heat and nutritional support.
Waxwings are fruit lovers, and while in the hospital we will be weening him off of hand feedings by using a weening plate which consists of berries, meal worms and some wet dog food for the correct calorie count. As birds transition from hand feedings to weening plates we look for their ability to pick at food, as they would from the ground, as opposed to how they open their mouths in anticipation for a food delivery from mom. This baby is now beginning to grow feathers large enough for flight, something known as fledging. He is doing everything right, and in a few weeks time will be able to return to the wild. The prognosis for this Fledgling is great.