WhenToBird

Cedar Waxwing · Bombycilla cedrorum

When Do Waxwings Arrive in Delaware?

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

Cedar Waxwings reach Delaware in late April, are common by early May, peak in early June (21% of checklists), and most are gone by early December. They are the only regular waxwings in Delaware.

When to look

First arrivalsApr 22-30late April
Common byMay 1-7early May
PeakJun 1-7early June
Most gone byDec 1-7early December

Best: early June. First arrivals late April; most are gone by early December. Peak: on about 21% of Delaware checklists.

  1. Janrare
  2. Febrare
  3. Marrare
  4. Aprrare
  5. Maypeak season
  6. Junpeak season
  7. Julcommon
  8. Auguncommon
  9. Sepuncommon
  10. Octcommon
  11. Novcommon
  12. Decuncommon

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

Waxwings in Delaware, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Cedar WaxwingApr 22-30May 1-7Jun 1-7Dec 1-721%
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 Delaware 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 Delaware

Best counties for Cedar Waxwing

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. New Castle CountyBest late May · 2154 checklists that week, 72,140 in all35%
  2. Kent CountyBest the second week of June · 547 checklists that week, 36,693 in all18%
  3. Sussex CountyBest the second week of June · 1314 checklists that week, 91,027 in all16%

Common questions

When do waxwings arrive in Delaware?
Cedar Waxwings reach Delaware in late April, are common by early May, peak in early June (21% of checklists), and most are gone by early December. They are the only regular waxwings in Delaware.
When do waxwings leave Delaware?
Most Cedar Waxwings have left Delaware by early December, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until early March.
When is the best time to see waxwings in Delaware?
The Cedar Waxwing is reported most often in early June, on about 21% of Delaware checklists.