Cedar Waxwings may seem mysterious in many ways, but they show up on time. As I’ve noted in previous posts, many fly through New York in early June on their way to Canada. Native to North America, the birds enjoy fruit and are named for the waxy secretions at the tips of the secondary feathers. They move from place to place and nest in large flocks. They look like they possess unknown superpowers or knowledge of magic.
As with last year, dozens of Cedar Waxwings have alighted in the Serviceberry trees in Isham Park. As they typically perch on exposed branches, these beautiful birds are easy to observe. This morning I encountered a dozen or so atop a tree with many bare upper branches. From these high perches, they took turns flying to the fruit trees. Cedar Waxwings will also eat insects in the summertime.
Bird migration is more nuanced than I originally assumed. I know now that there’s a time for flycatchers and a time for mergansers. During the first week in June, Cedar Waxwings arrive en masse, especially to the trees of Isham Park. While they may appear at other times of year, with the ripening of other fruit, this is their time to shine.
Cedar Waxwings may not really be mysterious at all. It’s just those raffish masks.
Cover: Cedar Waxwing in Isham Park. June 3, 2025.
June 2025 Sightings page
It’s early in the month, but I’m happy to report I’ve already seen plenty of Baltimore Orioles, a Great Blue Heron, and a bossy Northern Mockingbird. See the June 2025 Sightings page.
Recent posts
- Observing Birds Outside the Window: The Comforts and Surprises of Birdwatching During a Winter Storm
- A Thanksgiving with Hawks and All the Birds of Inwood
- Easy Fall Birding with White-throated Sparrows
- The Birds for Our New York City Moment
- Fall Birding Falls Into Place: Notable Birds of Inwood During Mid-October
Birds of Inwood 
Comments welcome!