WhenToBird

2 waxwing species in Maine

When Do Waxwings Arrive in Maine?

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

Cedar Waxwings reach Maine in the second week of May, are common by late May, peak in early August (30% of checklists), and most are gone by late September. They are by far the most reported waxwings in Maine.

When to look

First arrivalsMay 8-14the second week of May
Common byMay 22-31late May
PeakAug 1-7early August
Most gone bySep 22-30late September

Best: early August. First arrivals the second week of May; most are gone by late September. Peak: on about 30% of Maine checklists.

  1. Janrare
  2. Febrare
  3. Marrare
  4. Aprrare
  5. Maycommon
  6. Junpeak season
  7. Julpeak season
  8. Augpeak season
  9. Seppeak season
  10. Octuncommon
  11. Novrare
  12. Decrare

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

Waxwings in Maine, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Cedar WaxwingMay 8-14May 22-31Aug 1-7Sep 22-3030%
Bohemian WaxwingNov 15-21Nov 15-21Feb 1-7Apr 8-141.1%
0%10%20%30%40%Cedar WaxwingBohemian WaxwingJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
  • Cedar Waxwing
  • Bohemian 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 Maine 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 Maine

Best counties for Cedar Waxwing

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Penobscot CountyBest early August · 832 checklists that week, 56,895 in all41%
  2. Aroostook CountyBest early August · 312 checklists that week, 16,817 in all40%
  3. Waldo CountyBest mid July · 670 checklists that week, 33,433 in all37%
  4. York CountyBest early August · 1829 checklists that week, 101,844 in all35%
  5. Androscoggin CountyBest early August · 234 checklists that week, 16,955 in all34%
  6. Franklin CountyBest late July · 553 checklists that week, 14,182 in all34%

Common questions

When do waxwings arrive in Maine?
Cedar Waxwings reach Maine in the second week of May, are common by late May, peak in early August (30% of checklists), and most are gone by late September. They are by far the most reported waxwings in Maine.
When do waxwings leave Maine?
Most Cedar Waxwings have left Maine by late September, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until early November.
When is the best time to see waxwings in Maine?
The Cedar Waxwing is reported most often in early August, on about 30% of Maine checklists.
Which waxwings are in Maine?
Cedar Waxwing and Bohemian Waxwing are reported regularly; the Cedar Waxwing is the most common.