WhenToBird

2 waxwing species in Minnesota

When Do Waxwings Arrive in Minnesota?

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

Cedar Waxwings reach Minnesota in late April, are common by late May, peak in mid August (26% of checklists), and most are gone by late October. They are by far the most reported waxwings in Minnesota.

When to look

First arrivalsApr 22-30late April
Common byMay 22-31late May
PeakAug 15-21mid August
Most gone byOct 22-31late October

Best: mid August. First arrivals late April; most are gone by late October. Peak: on about 26% of Minnesota checklists.

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

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

Waxwings in Minnesota, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Cedar WaxwingApr 22-30May 22-31Aug 15-21Oct 22-3126%
Bohemian WaxwingOct 15-21Oct 15-21Feb 8-14Mar 1-71.1%
0%10%20%30%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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota

Best counties for Cedar Waxwing

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Lake of the Woods CountyBest late July · 15 checklists that week, 1,280 in all55%
  2. Lake CountyBest early August · 320 checklists that week, 19,908 in all52%
  3. Kittson CountyBest mid July · 21 checklists that week, 1,272 in all50%
  4. Cook CountyBest early August · 330 checklists that week, 14,913 in all48%
  5. Isanti CountyBest late August · 73 checklists that week, 2,785 in all45%
  6. Sherburne CountyBest late August · 244 checklists that week, 9,922 in all43%

Common questions

When do waxwings arrive in Minnesota?
Cedar Waxwings reach Minnesota in late April, are common by late May, peak in mid August (26% of checklists), and most are gone by late October. They are by far the most reported waxwings in Minnesota.
When do waxwings leave Minnesota?
Most Cedar Waxwings have left Minnesota by late October, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until early January.
When is the best time to see waxwings in Minnesota?
The Cedar Waxwing is reported most often in mid August, on about 26% of Minnesota checklists.
Which waxwings are in Minnesota?
Cedar Waxwing and Bohemian Waxwing are reported regularly; the Cedar Waxwing is the most common.