WhenToBird

Cedar Waxwing · Bombycilla cedrorum

When Do Waxwings Arrive in Nevada?

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

Cedar Waxwings reach Nevada in mid August, are common by late August, peak in mid May (9.3% of checklists), and most are gone by the second week of June. They are the only regular waxwings in Nevada.

When to look

First arrivalsAug 15-21mid August
Common byAug 22-31late August
PeakMay 15-21mid May
Most gone byJun 8-14the second week of June

Best: mid May. First arrivals mid August; most are gone by the second week of June. Peak: on about 9.3% of Nevada checklists.

  1. Jancommon
  2. Febuncommon
  3. Maruncommon
  4. Apruncommon
  5. Maypeak season
  6. Juncommon
  7. Julrare
  8. Auguncommon
  9. Seppeak season
  10. Octpeak season
  11. Novpeak season
  12. Deccommon

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

Waxwings in Nevada, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Cedar WaxwingAug 15-21Aug 22-31May 15-21Jun 8-149.3%
0%5%10%15%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 Nevada 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 Nevada

Best counties for Cedar Waxwing

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Pershing CountyBest mid January · 18 checklists that week, 1,407 in all50%
  2. Esmeralda CountyBest late May · 347 checklists that week, 2,275 in all24%
  3. Lander CountyBest early March · 15 checklists that week, 1,413 in all15%
  4. Clark CountyBest mid May · 1876 checklists that week, 80,458 in all14%
  5. Humboldt CountyBest the second week of February · 13 checklists that week, 2,523 in all14%
  6. Washoe CountyBest the second week of December · 865 checklists that week, 53,497 in all12%

Common questions

When do waxwings arrive in Nevada?
Cedar Waxwings reach Nevada in mid August, are common by late August, peak in mid May (9.3% of checklists), and most are gone by the second week of June. They are the only regular waxwings in Nevada.
When do waxwings leave Nevada?
Most Cedar Waxwings have left Nevada by the second week of June, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until mid June.
When is the best time to see waxwings in Nevada?
The Cedar Waxwing is reported most often in mid May, on about 9.3% of Nevada checklists.