Instagram | @jtw86

The Cedar Waxwing Proves That Brown Feathers Can Be Beautiful Too

For many bird species, the males and females look very different. Often, we explain this with a shorthand that the males are colorful and pretty while the females are "brown and boring."

Well, these cedar waxwings have something to say about our assumption that brown always means boring, because they're proving that neutrals are beautiful and the perfect backdrop for a pop of bright color.

Like, seriously, I kind of want to use these birds as inspiration for a color scheme.

Instagram | @lli0930

Just imagine it in a room: walls in that muted, blushy brown, a plush grey couch with yellow accent cushions, and a bold red chair for sheer drama.

Waxwings get their name from the bright red wax-like "droplets" along the edge of their wings.

Instagram | @valleyjournal_mt, Eugene Beckes

They kind of look like an incredible, bold manicure that both male and female birds totally work.

Depending on their diet as juveniles, the end of their tail may be bright yellow, or lean more towards orange.

They feed mostly on berries and insects.

Instagram | @petraambrose

Luckily, if you live in North America, you have a really good chance of spotting these beauties in the wild. Their range covers almost the entire continent, save only for the coldest Arctic region.

Occasionally, if the berry supply is low, they'll venture into the northern coastal areas of South America as well.

Instagram | @mizzou159

Their population density varies wildly, though, and if you want to spot a flock, your best bet is to look for open woodlands or orchards where the berries are ripe and in season.

h/t: eBird, Audubon

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