WhenToBird

2 waxwing species in Montana

When Do Waxwings Arrive in Montana?

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

Cedar Waxwings and Bohemian Waxwings are the waxwings you are most likely to see in Montana. Cedar Waxwings reach Montana in the second week of May, are common by early June, peak in mid August (36% of checklists), and most are gone by early October.

When to look

First arrivalsMay 8-14the second week of May
Common byJun 1-7early June
PeakAug 15-21mid August
Most gone byOct 1-7early October

Best: mid August. First arrivals the second week of May; most are gone by early October. Peak: on about 36% of Montana checklists.

  1. Janrare
  2. Febrare
  3. Marrare
  4. Aprrare
  5. Mayuncommon
  6. Juncommon
  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 Montana, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Cedar WaxwingMay 8-14Jun 1-7Aug 15-21Oct 1-736%
Bohemian WaxwingOct 22-31Nov 1-7Jan 8-14Mar 15-215.4%
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 Montana 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 Montana

Best counties for Cedar Waxwing

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Richland CountyBest late July · 19 checklists that week, 673 in all57%
  2. Missoula CountyBest late August · 1430 checklists that week, 64,368 in all52%
  3. Sheridan CountyBest the second week of September · 108 checklists that week, 2,316 in all50%
  4. Custer CountyBest mid August · 24 checklists that week, 1,404 in all49%
  5. Ravalli CountyBest late July · 376 checklists that week, 16,671 in all47%
  6. Musselshell CountyBest mid August · 21 checklists that week, 961 in all46%

Common questions

When do waxwings arrive in Montana?
Cedar Waxwings reach Montana in the second week of May, are common by early June, peak in mid August (36% of checklists), and most are gone by early October.
When do waxwings leave Montana?
Most Cedar Waxwings have left Montana by early October, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until late January.
When is the best time to see waxwings in Montana?
The Cedar Waxwing is reported most often in mid August, on about 36% of Montana checklists.
Which waxwings are in Montana?
Cedar Waxwing and Bohemian Waxwing are reported regularly; the Cedar Waxwing is the most common.