When do waxwings leave North Dakota?

Cedar Waxwings never fully leave North Dakota: numbers fall back below half their usual rate by late September, but some are still reported in every week, about 2.9% of checklists at the low.

When is the best time to see waxwings in North Dakota?

The Cedar Waxwing is reported most often in late August, on about 26% of North Dakota checklists.

Which waxwings are in North Dakota?

Cedar Waxwing and Bohemian Waxwing are reported regularly; the Cedar Waxwing is the most common.

2 waxwing species in North Dakota

When Do Waxwings Arrive in North Dakota?

Photo: Sean Frey, CC BY 4.0 via iNaturalist

Cedar Waxwings are in North Dakota all year, but most are here in summer: numbers build from mid May, peak in late August (26% of checklists), and fall back by late September. In the quietest week (the second week of February) they are still on about 2.9% of checklists. They are by far the most reported waxwings in North Dakota.

When to look

Numbers buildMay 15-21mid May

PeakAug 22-31late August

Fall back bySep 22-30late September

FewestFeb 8-14the second week of February

Best: late August. Here all year; numbers build from mid May and fall back by late September. Peak: on about 26% of North Dakota checklists.

Januncommon
Febuncommon
Maruncommon
Apruncommon
Maycommon
Junpeak season
Julpeak season
Augpeak season
Seppeak season
Octcommon
Novuncommon
Decuncommon

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

Waxwings in North Dakota, species by species

Species	First arrivals	Common by	Peak	Most gone by	Peak %
Cedar Waxwing	May 15-21	May 15-21	Aug 22-31	Sep 22-30	26%
Bohemian Waxwing	Oct 22-31	Oct 22-31	Dec 22-31	Apr 8-14	1.3%

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 North Dakota 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 North Dakota

Best counties for Cedar Waxwing

Share of checklists at the peak

Renville CountyBest late August · 10 checklists that week, 415 in all67%
Bottineau CountyBest early September · 57 checklists that week, 1,949 in all55%
Oliver CountyBest mid August · 16 checklists that week, 776 in all54%
Rolette CountyBest the second week of August · 15 checklists that week, 490 in all53%
Cavalier CountyBest late July · 14 checklists that week, 392 in all50%
Mountrail CountyBest late August · 74 checklists that week, 3,275 in all49%

Common questions

When do waxwings arrive in North Dakota?: Cedar Waxwings are in North Dakota all year, but most are here in summer: numbers build from mid May, peak in late August (26% of checklists), and fall back by late September. In the quietest week (the second week of February) they are still on about 2.9% of checklists. They are by far the most reported waxwings in North Dakota.
When do waxwings leave North Dakota?: Cedar Waxwings never fully leave North Dakota: numbers fall back below half their usual rate by late September, but some are still reported in every week, about 2.9% of checklists at the low.
When is the best time to see waxwings in North Dakota?: The Cedar Waxwing is reported most often in late August, on about 26% of North Dakota checklists.
Which waxwings are in North Dakota?: Cedar Waxwing and Bohemian Waxwing are reported regularly; the Cedar Waxwing is the most common.