WhenToBird

Cedar Waxwing · Bombycilla cedrorum

When Do Waxwings Arrive in Connecticut?

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

Cedar Waxwings reach Connecticut in mid April, are common by mid May, peak in the second week of June (28% of checklists), and most are gone by mid November. They are the only regular waxwings in Connecticut.

When to look

First arrivalsApr 15-21mid April
Common byMay 15-21mid May
PeakJun 8-14the second week of June
Most gone byNov 15-21mid November

Best: the second week of June. First arrivals mid April; most are gone by mid November. Peak: on about 28% of Connecticut checklists.

  1. Janrare
  2. Febrare
  3. Marrare
  4. Aprrare
  5. Maypeak season
  6. Junpeak season
  7. Julpeak season
  8. Augcommon
  9. Sepcommon
  10. Octcommon
  11. Novcommon
  12. Decrare

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

Waxwings in Connecticut, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Cedar WaxwingApr 15-21May 15-21Jun 8-14Nov 15-2128%
0%10%20%30%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 Connecticut 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 Connecticut

Best counties for Cedar Waxwing

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Litchfield CountyBest the second week of August · 1107 checklists that week, 69,766 in all48%
  2. Windham CountyBest the second week of June · 390 checklists that week, 19,034 in all32%
  3. New London CountyBest early June · 1169 checklists that week, 65,205 in all28%
  4. Middlesex CountyBest early June · 808 checklists that week, 39,919 in all28%
  5. Hartford CountyBest the second week of June · 2349 checklists that week, 105,735 in all26%
  6. Fairfield CountyBest early June · 2304 checklists that week, 139,848 in all25%

Common questions

When do waxwings arrive in Connecticut?
Cedar Waxwings reach Connecticut in mid April, are common by mid May, peak in the second week of June (28% of checklists), and most are gone by mid November. They are the only regular waxwings in Connecticut.
When do waxwings leave Connecticut?
Most Cedar Waxwings have left Connecticut by mid November, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until early April.
When is the best time to see waxwings in Connecticut?
The Cedar Waxwing is reported most often in the second week of June, on about 28% of Connecticut checklists.