WhenToBird

Cedar Waxwing · Bombycilla cedrorum

When Do Waxwings Arrive in Indiana?

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

Cedar Waxwings reach Indiana in late April, are common by the second week of May, peak in early June (23% of checklists), and most are gone by the second week of November. They are the only regular waxwings in Indiana.

When to look

First arrivalsApr 22-30late April
Common byMay 8-14the second week of May
PeakJun 1-7early June
Most gone byNov 8-14the second week of November

Best: early June. First arrivals late April; most are gone by the second week of November. Peak: on about 23% of Indiana checklists.

  1. Janrare
  2. Febnot usually seen
  3. Marnot usually seen
  4. Aprrare
  5. Maypeak season
  6. Junpeak season
  7. Julcommon
  8. Augcommon
  9. Seppeak season
  10. Octcommon
  11. Novcommon
  12. Decuncommon

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

Waxwings in Indiana, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Cedar WaxwingApr 22-30May 8-14Jun 1-7Nov 8-1423%
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 Indiana 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 Indiana

Best counties for Cedar Waxwing

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Scott CountyBest late May · 15 checklists that week, 798 in all47%
  2. Clinton CountyBest late September · 11 checklists that week, 900 in all46%
  3. Blackford CountyBest mid August · 10 checklists that week, 962 in all46%
  4. Starke CountyBest the second week of August · 10 checklists that week, 2,111 in all45%
  5. Fayette CountyBest the second week of September · 15 checklists that week, 1,864 in all41%
  6. Morgan CountyBest mid September · 138 checklists that week, 6,146 in all39%

Common questions

When do waxwings arrive in Indiana?
Cedar Waxwings reach Indiana in late April, are common by the second week of May, peak in early June (23% of checklists), and most are gone by the second week of November. They are the only regular waxwings in Indiana.
When do waxwings leave Indiana?
Most Cedar Waxwings have left Indiana by the second week of November, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until late December.
When is the best time to see waxwings in Indiana?
The Cedar Waxwing is reported most often in early June, on about 23% of Indiana checklists.