One of the things I love about cedar waxwings is how unpredictable they are. Waxwings are nomadic creatures, traveling in flocks from one berry-bearing tree to another. A flock of waxwings will descend upon a fruiting crab-apple tree, feast until their bellies are bursting, and then move on to better, more berry-laden trees.
Today, there were two flocks of cedar waxwings working the crab-apple trees at Keene State College: one in the trees by the Student Center, and other working the trees by the library. I wasn’t expecting to see waxwings as I walked from my car to my summer school class and back: that’s what I love about waxwings. Right when you’re not expecting to see much of anything is when waxwings typically appear, descending upon the trees of your otherwise ordinary afternoon, keening and calling until you look up to notice them, surprised again. The next time I’m on campus, who knows where these nomads will be, appearing like an unbidden apparition to some other oblivious soul.
Hoarded Ordinaries 
Jun 7, 2012 at 8:58 am
I’m not aware that waxwings exist over here. They are beautiful! I love how they seem to wear a burglar’s mask.
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Jun 7, 2012 at 2:48 pm
I believe (?) that cedar waxwings are found only in North America, but I think the range of bohemian waxwings includes parts of Europe. I’ve seen bohemian waxwings in New England, but that’s a much more occasional occurrence: a true surprise.
I always think that waxwings look like they are wearing Cleopatra-style eye makeup.
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Jun 8, 2012 at 9:08 pm
I would love to be surprised by this beautiful bird. I don’t think I have ever seen one. Do they live along the Western United States?
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Jun 9, 2012 at 10:32 am
Yes! According to this range map, they’re year-rounders in the northern part, and winter visitors in the south.
The best way to see them is to listen for their call, which you can hear here. I almost always hear waxwings before I see them.
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