While Magnolias certainly are showy, they’re not particularly pollinator-friendly. As some of the oldest flowering plants, they actually pre-date bees, butterflies, and moths. Beetles and flies are attracted to their flowers, and it’s these older insects who pollinate them. However, I’ve never seen much evidence of any insects in the flowers. Most of the magnolias we see here in NYC are ornamental specimens that originated in the plant trade.
Something was attracting this Black-capped Chickadee in this Saucer Magnolia/Magnolia x soulangeana.
Something in the leaf buds.
Backyard and Beyond 
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