Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) - Deceased
This beauty was found deceased in my front yard. There were no signs of external injuries, but some dried blood(?) was present around its nares and mouth. This was located a good distance from any windows or roads, so I don't think a collision was the cause of death
It has come to my attention that this may the result of Heavenly Bamboo (Nandina domestica) fruit poisoning. There has been a recent uptick in bird deaths (resulting from Nandina poisoning) in my area. Heavenly Bamboo is an introduced, invasive species planted as an ornamental. This popular shrub poses a risk to many birds (including Cedar Waxwings) as they contain cyanide and other alkaloids that lead to the production of HCN (Hydrogen cyanide), a compound toxic to many animals.
The Cedar Waxwing is a member of the family Bombycillidae or waxwing family of passerine birds. It is a medium sized, mostly brown, gray, and yellow bird named for its wax-like wing tips. It is a native of North and Central America, breeding in open wooded areas in southern Canada and wintering in the southern half of the United States, Central America, and the far northwest of South America.
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