WhenToBird

Cedar Waxwing · Bombycilla cedrorum

When Do Waxwings Arrive in New Jersey?

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

Cedar Waxwings reach New Jersey in early May, are common by the second week of May, peak in early June (29% of checklists), and most are gone by late November. They are the only regular waxwings in New Jersey.

When to look

First arrivalsMay 1-7early May
Common byMay 8-14the second week of May
PeakJun 1-7early June
Most gone byNov 22-30late November

Best: early June. First arrivals early May; most are gone by late November. Peak: on about 29% of New Jersey checklists.

  1. Janrare
  2. Febrare
  3. Marrare
  4. Aprrare
  5. Maypeak season
  6. Junpeak season
  7. Julcommon
  8. Augcommon
  9. Sepcommon
  10. Octuncommon
  11. Novuncommon
  12. Decuncommon

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

Waxwings in New Jersey, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Cedar WaxwingMay 1-7May 8-14Jun 1-7Nov 22-3029%
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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey

Best counties for Cedar Waxwing

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Warren CountyBest the second week of June · 312 checklists that week, 20,077 in all44%
  2. Sussex CountyBest the second week of June · 632 checklists that week, 30,305 in all41%
  3. Hunterdon CountyBest early June · 1150 checklists that week, 57,610 in all40%
  4. Hudson CountyBest early June · 346 checklists that week, 21,191 in all39%
  5. Burlington CountyBest late May · 1570 checklists that week, 52,358 in all39%
  6. Mercer CountyBest late May · 1944 checklists that week, 56,614 in all38%

Common questions

When do waxwings arrive in New Jersey?
Cedar Waxwings reach New Jersey in early May, are common by the second week of May, peak in early June (29% of checklists), and most are gone by late November. They are the only regular waxwings in New Jersey.
When do waxwings leave New Jersey?
Most Cedar Waxwings have left New Jersey by late November, 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 New Jersey?
The Cedar Waxwing is reported most often in early June, on about 29% of New Jersey checklists.