WhenToBird

Cedar Waxwing · Bombycilla cedrorum

When Do Waxwings Arrive in Massachusetts?

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

Cedar Waxwings reach Massachusetts in early May, are common by mid May, peak in the second week of June (30% of checklists), and most are gone by late September. They are the only regular waxwings in Massachusetts.

When to look

First arrivalsMay 1-7early May
Common byMay 15-21mid May
PeakJun 8-14the second week of June
Most gone bySep 22-30late September

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

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

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

Waxwings in Massachusetts, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Cedar WaxwingMay 1-7May 15-21Jun 8-14Sep 22-3030%
0%10%20%30%40%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 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts

Best counties for Cedar Waxwing

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Berkshire CountyBest early August · 1367 checklists that week, 92,890 in all52%
  2. Worcester CountyBest late July · 2380 checklists that week, 128,594 in all38%
  3. Franklin CountyBest early July · 511 checklists that week, 41,382 in all38%
  4. Hampshire CountyBest mid June · 2678 checklists that week, 162,423 in all37%
  5. Essex CountyBest mid June · 2972 checklists that week, 213,973 in all36%
  6. Norfolk CountyBest the second week of June · 2152 checklists that week, 114,756 in all31%

Common questions

When do waxwings arrive in Massachusetts?
Cedar Waxwings reach Massachusetts in early May, are common by mid May, peak in the second week of June (30% of checklists), and most are gone by late September. They are the only regular waxwings in Massachusetts.
When do waxwings leave Massachusetts?
Most Cedar Waxwings have left Massachusetts by late September, 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 Massachusetts?
The Cedar Waxwing is reported most often in the second week of June, on about 30% of Massachusetts checklists.