WhenToBird

Cedar Waxwing · Bombycilla cedrorum

When Do Waxwings Arrive in Florida?

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

Cedar Waxwings reach Florida in early December, are common by late December, peak in early April (8.8% of checklists), and most are gone by early May. They are the only regular waxwings in Florida.

When to look

First arrivalsDec 1-7early December
Common byDec 22-31late December
PeakApr 1-7early April
Most gone byMay 1-7early May

Best: early April. First arrivals early December; most are gone by early May. Peak: on about 8.8% of Florida checklists.

  1. Jancommon
  2. Febcommon
  3. Marpeak season
  4. Aprpeak season
  5. Maycommon
  6. Junnot usually seen
  7. Julnot usually seen
  8. Augnot usually seen
  9. Sepnot usually seen
  10. Octnot usually seen
  11. Novrare
  12. Decuncommon

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

Waxwings in Florida, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Cedar WaxwingDec 1-7Dec 22-31Apr 1-7May 1-78.8%
0%5%10%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 Florida 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 Florida

Best counties for Cedar Waxwing

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Washington CountyBest late December · 74 checklists that week, 1,773 in all29%
  2. Santa Rosa CountyBest early April · 432 checklists that week, 15,001 in all27%
  3. Alachua CountyBest late March · 3743 checklists that week, 120,363 in all21%
  4. Putnam CountyBest the second week of April · 103 checklists that week, 4,966 in all20%
  5. Escambia CountyBest late March · 990 checklists that week, 25,457 in all20%
  6. Columbia CountyBest late March · 176 checklists that week, 5,568 in all20%

Common questions

When do waxwings arrive in Florida?
Cedar Waxwings reach Florida in early December, are common by late December, peak in early April (8.8% of checklists), and most are gone by early May. They are the only regular waxwings in Florida.
When do waxwings leave Florida?
Most Cedar Waxwings have left Florida by early May, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until the second week of May.
When is the best time to see waxwings in Florida?
The Cedar Waxwing is reported most often in early April, on about 8.8% of Florida checklists.