WhenToBird

Cedar Waxwing · Bombycilla cedrorum

When Do Waxwings Arrive in Colorado?

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

Cedar Waxwings reach Colorado in late April, are common by the second week of May, peak in late August (7.5% of checklists), and most are gone by mid January. They are the only regular waxwings in Colorado.

When to look

First arrivalsApr 22-30late April
Common byMay 8-14the second week of May
PeakAug 22-31late August
Most gone byJan 15-21mid January

Best: late August. First arrivals late April; most are gone by mid January. Peak: on about 7.5% of Colorado checklists.

  1. Januncommon
  2. Febuncommon
  3. Maruncommon
  4. Apruncommon
  5. Maypeak season
  6. Junpeak season
  7. Julpeak season
  8. Augpeak season
  9. Seppeak season
  10. Octcommon
  11. Novuncommon
  12. Decuncommon

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

Waxwings in Colorado, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Cedar WaxwingApr 22-30May 8-14Aug 22-31Jan 15-217.5%
0%2%4%6%8%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 Colorado 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 Colorado

Best counties for Cedar Waxwing

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Routt CountyBest late August · 505 checklists that week, 10,504 in all33%
  2. Cheyenne CountyBest late May · 92 checklists that week, 1,388 in all32%
  3. Pitkin CountyBest late August · 536 checklists that week, 15,513 in all31%
  4. La Plata CountyBest late August · 749 checklists that week, 21,744 in all28%
  5. Eagle CountyBest late August · 465 checklists that week, 15,893 in all27%
  6. Moffat CountyBest late August · 164 checklists that week, 5,700 in all22%

Common questions

When do waxwings arrive in Colorado?
Cedar Waxwings reach Colorado in late April, are common by the second week of May, peak in late August (7.5% of checklists), and most are gone by mid January. They are the only regular waxwings in Colorado.
When do waxwings leave Colorado?
Most Cedar Waxwings have left Colorado by mid January, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until late March.
When is the best time to see waxwings in Colorado?
The Cedar Waxwing is reported most often in late August, on about 7.5% of Colorado checklists.