WhenToBird

Cedar Waxwing · Bombycilla cedrorum

When Do Waxwings Arrive in Illinois?

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

Cedar Waxwings reach Illinois in early May, are common by mid May, peak in mid August (24% of checklists), and most are gone by early November. They are the only regular waxwings in Illinois.

When to look

First arrivalsMay 1-7early May
Common byMay 15-21mid May
PeakAug 15-21mid August
Most gone byNov 1-7early November

Best: mid August. First arrivals early May; most are gone by early November. Peak: on about 24% of Illinois checklists.

  1. Janrare
  2. Febrare
  3. Marrare
  4. Aprrare
  5. Maypeak season
  6. Junpeak season
  7. Julpeak season
  8. Augpeak season
  9. Seppeak season
  10. Octcommon
  11. Novcommon
  12. Decuncommon

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

Waxwings in Illinois, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Cedar WaxwingMay 1-7May 15-21Aug 15-21Nov 1-724%
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 Illinois 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 Illinois

Best counties for Cedar Waxwing

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Kendall CountyBest the second week of June · 237 checklists that week, 21,004 in all51%
  2. Lake CountyBest mid August · 1382 checklists that week, 113,940 in all49%
  3. McHenry CountyBest mid August · 501 checklists that week, 45,486 in all45%
  4. Boone CountyBest late September · 51 checklists that week, 3,174 in all43%
  5. Lee CountyBest the second week of June · 169 checklists that week, 6,175 in all42%
  6. Vermilion CountyBest early November · 84 checklists that week, 5,300 in all42%

Common questions

When do waxwings arrive in Illinois?
Cedar Waxwings reach Illinois in early May, are common by mid May, peak in mid August (24% of checklists), and most are gone by early November. They are the only regular waxwings in Illinois.
When do waxwings leave Illinois?
Most Cedar Waxwings have left Illinois by early November, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until early January.
When is the best time to see waxwings in Illinois?
The Cedar Waxwing is reported most often in mid August, on about 24% of Illinois checklists.