WhenToBird

Cedar Waxwing · Bombycilla cedrorum

When Do Waxwings Arrive in New York?

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

Cedar Waxwings reach New York in the second week of April, are common by mid May, peak in late June (31% of checklists), and most are gone by late September. They are the only regular waxwings in New York.

When to look

First arrivalsApr 8-14the second week of April
Common byMay 15-21mid May
PeakJun 22-30late June
Most gone bySep 22-30late September

Best: late June. First arrivals the second week of April; most are gone by late September. Peak: on about 31% of New York 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 New York, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Cedar WaxwingApr 8-14May 15-21Jun 22-30Sep 22-3031%
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 York 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 York

Best counties for Cedar Waxwing

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Washington CountyBest the second week of August · 219 checklists that week, 15,060 in all53%
  2. Montgomery CountyBest early August · 253 checklists that week, 17,048 in all53%
  3. Lewis CountyBest late July · 210 checklists that week, 5,920 in all52%
  4. Allegany CountyBest the second week of July · 182 checklists that week, 11,955 in all51%
  5. Chenango CountyBest the second week of August · 123 checklists that week, 10,785 in all50%
  6. Delaware CountyBest early July · 550 checklists that week, 18,557 in all48%

Common questions

When do waxwings arrive in New York?
Cedar Waxwings reach New York in the second week of April, are common by mid May, peak in late June (31% of checklists), and most are gone by late September. They are the only regular waxwings in New York.
When do waxwings leave New York?
Most Cedar Waxwings have left New York by late September, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until the second week of December.
When is the best time to see waxwings in New York?
The Cedar Waxwing is reported most often in late June, on about 31% of New York checklists.