WhenToBird

Cedar Waxwing · Bombycilla cedrorum

When Do Waxwings Arrive in Kentucky?

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

Cedar Waxwings reach Kentucky in mid April, are common by early May, peak in mid May (19% of checklists), and most are gone by the second week of December. They are the only regular waxwings in Kentucky.

When to look

First arrivalsApr 15-21mid April
Common byMay 1-7early May
PeakMay 15-21mid May
Most gone byDec 8-14the second week of December

Best: mid May. First arrivals mid April; most are gone by the second week of December. Peak: on about 19% of Kentucky checklists.

  1. Januncommon
  2. Febrare
  3. Marrare
  4. Apruncommon
  5. Maypeak season
  6. Junpeak season
  7. Julcommon
  8. Augcommon
  9. Sepcommon
  10. Octcommon
  11. Novpeak season
  12. Deccommon

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

Waxwings in Kentucky, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Cedar WaxwingApr 15-21May 1-7May 15-21Dec 8-1419%
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 Kentucky 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 Kentucky

Best counties for Cedar Waxwing

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Clinton CountyBest late May · 17 checklists that week, 220 in all48%
  2. McCreary CountyBest early September · 20 checklists that week, 847 in all47%
  3. Jackson CountyBest early October · 11 checklists that week, 344 in all44%
  4. Harlan CountyBest the second week of July · 14 checklists that week, 318 in all41%
  5. Floyd CountyBest mid May · 13 checklists that week, 342 in all41%
  6. Laurel CountyBest early August · 36 checklists that week, 2,214 in all35%

Common questions

When do waxwings arrive in Kentucky?
Cedar Waxwings reach Kentucky in mid April, are common by early May, peak in mid May (19% of checklists), and most are gone by the second week of December. They are the only regular waxwings in Kentucky.
When do waxwings leave Kentucky?
Most Cedar Waxwings have left Kentucky by the second week of December, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until the second week of January.
When is the best time to see waxwings in Kentucky?
The Cedar Waxwing is reported most often in mid May, on about 19% of Kentucky checklists.