WhenToBird

Cedar Waxwing · Bombycilla cedrorum

When Do Waxwings Arrive in Arkansas?

Adult Cedar Waxwing
Photo: Sean Frey, CC BY 4.0 via iNaturalist

Cedar Waxwings reach Arkansas in late September, are common by the second week of November, peak in early May (12% of checklists), and most are gone by mid May. They are the only regular waxwings in Arkansas.

When to look

First arrivalsSep 22-30late September
Common byNov 8-14the second week of November
PeakMay 1-7early May
Most gone byMay 15-21mid May

Best: early May. First arrivals late September; most are gone by mid May. Peak: on about 12% of Arkansas checklists.

  1. Jancommon
  2. Febcommon
  3. Marpeak season
  4. Aprpeak season
  5. Maypeak season
  6. Junrare
  7. Julnot usually seen
  8. Augnot usually seen
  9. Seprare
  10. Octuncommon
  11. Novcommon
  12. Decpeak season

Darker months: more checklists report it. Outlined: peak month.

Waxwings in Arkansas, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Cedar WaxwingSep 22-30Nov 8-14May 1-7May 15-2112%
0%5%10%15%Cedar WaxwingJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
  • Cedar Waxwing
Share of complete checklists reporting each species, by week (4 per month). Gaps: fewer than 10 checklists that week.

Frequency is the share of complete checklists in Arkansas that listed the bird, 2016–2025. It is not a head count, and it follows where and when people go birding. How to read it.

Where in Arkansas

Best counties for Cedar Waxwing

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Izard CountyBest mid November · 13 checklists that week, 788 in all41%
  2. Sebastian CountyBest early May · 171 checklists that week, 4,415 in all36%
  3. Phillips CountyBest early May · 24 checklists that week, 523 in all32%
  4. Newton CountyBest late November · 12 checklists that week, 1,782 in all31%
  5. Hempstead CountyBest late April · 35 checklists that week, 827 in all27%
  6. Madison CountyBest the second week of December · 15 checklists that week, 807 in all26%

Common questions

When do waxwings arrive in Arkansas?
Cedar Waxwings reach Arkansas in late September, are common by the second week of November, peak in early May (12% of checklists), and most are gone by mid May. They are the only regular waxwings in Arkansas.
When do waxwings leave Arkansas?
Most Cedar Waxwings have left Arkansas by mid May, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until early June.
When is the best time to see waxwings in Arkansas?
The Cedar Waxwing is reported most often in early May, on about 12% of Arkansas checklists.