So THAT'S what I saw yesterday ! A flock of them was huddled around our pool's out-flow getting a drink. When I came around the corner into their view, they flew into a nearby tree. I couldn't place what they were, so I'm glad I saw your post.

Will they stay around ?

patty

I don't think they'll stay around. I had a flock come by my yard a couple of years ago (just passing through). But I've since lost the pyracantha they were so interested in. Hope they come back again! I'll be on the lookout!

They come in droves to my yaupon holly and strip it of berries in 1 day - and it's a pretty big yaupon with tons of berries. I've seen them more this year than ever before. I see them in summer around the park ponds, but they never come back to the yard until the next year's crop of berries. They are beautiful birds - they look so exotic!

I don't think they will stay, but I'm pretty sure they will return next winter. Their habitat is northern U.S. and Canada, I believe. They are truly berry lovers so I'm glad I have plenty of trees/shrubs to accommodate them, as well as a good water source.
Molly

I've seen them also! They will head north soon, I guess. They also eat fruit from native cedars, dogwood, cherry trees, mulberry, hackberry and choke cherry. And insects in the summer. BTW, the last couple of days, I've seen a flock of birds I can't see well enough to ID in the trees of a house next door. They seem to be eating chinaberries! Ugh! I thought those were toxic!

Ohhh yea, I had 2 huge flocks of them pass through my yard yesterday! Couldn't get my camera quick enough though and wasn't sure what they were until I just looked it up. LOL and I just discovered all of my berries are gone from the yard. :)

Well...it turns out those birds in the trees next door are ALSO Cedar Waxwings! I hope they are okay...they're still eating those chinaberries! I know those berries poison livestock and even dogss and people.

The cedar waxwings stopped by here (Euless) a week or so ago and ate the Chinaberries - go birdies! They were also munching on the hackberries (as was a flock of robins ... go figure!)

I also had them the other day. They landed in my Juniper right outside my front door. Just beautiful. First time for me in my yard. I'd been seeing them at my sons house several weeks earlier. They were eating the mistletoe out of the tree that hangs over the driveway. I love Cedar Waxwings!

We had a huge flock come through uptown Dallas two weeks ago. It took me two trips through the carwash to remove their souvenirs.

I usually see them in the fall when they come back through. They flock to the ligustrum trees and eat the berries. I loving seeing them. They are such happy active little birds.

Linda, when I was a kid I remember birds eating China berries that had fallen from my grandmothers tree. She'd laugh because they would stagger around drunk afterwards as the berries were somewhat fermented. Maybe the fermenting process destroys some of the poison.

I just now looked up 'drunk birds' on line. As well as speaking to the subject of 'drunks' the article says birds can eat without harm poison seeds that would kill other creatures.

Here is a link that might be useful: Drunk birds and other interesting things ....

Thanks, Ragna, that was fascinating! At least it gives me hope that they will survive...but, of course, now I have these mental images of the drunken birds sleeping it off on the ground and the neighborhood cats could catch them!

They do not stay "drunk" long enough for the cats to catch them. I see them "high" off pyracantha berries as well. But they are such mannered and orderly little birds, I just love watching them take turns stripping the berries from my pyracanthas ....... I never see them fighting or quarreling in any way.

Based on their visit to my gardens, I would say they are "nice" little birds....everyone was sharing the water, as well as the berries!
Molly

I saw a nice sized flock of them this morning on a nature trail along the river here in town. They were eating Chinaberries too. I guess those oversized weeds have some redeeming quality.

Too bad they don't stick around. Cute little fellas.

i saw a ton of these outside my window one year, and snapped a few pics. i didn't know what they were until i showed my grandma - now i keep hoping i'll see them again. they are really cute little birds! :)

We were up at the old Independence Baptist Church over the weekend (bluebonnets at Old Baylor are puttin' on a show), and I spotted one in a hedge. There was probably a whole flock around there...