WhenToBird

Cedar Waxwing · Bombycilla cedrorum

When Do Waxwings Arrive in Ohio?

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

Cedar Waxwings reach Ohio in early May, are common by mid May, peak in early June (28% of checklists), and most are gone by the second week of November. They are the only regular waxwings in Ohio.

When to look

First arrivalsMay 1-7early May
Common byMay 15-21mid May
PeakJun 1-7early June
Most gone byNov 8-14the second week of November

Best: early June. First arrivals early May; most are gone by the second week of November. Peak: on about 28% of Ohio checklists.

  1. Janrare
  2. Febnot usually seen
  3. Marnot usually seen
  4. Aprrare
  5. Maypeak season
  6. Junpeak season
  7. Julpeak season
  8. Augcommon
  9. Sepcommon
  10. Octcommon
  11. Novuncommon
  12. Decuncommon

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

Waxwings in Ohio, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Cedar WaxwingMay 1-7May 15-21Jun 1-7Nov 8-1428%
0%10%20%30%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 Ohio 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 Ohio

Best counties for Cedar Waxwing

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Clark CountyBest the second week of September · 328 checklists that week, 14,637 in all45%
  2. Richland CountyBest the second week of July · 274 checklists that week, 19,346 in all43%
  3. Hancock CountyBest the second week of June · 58 checklists that week, 9,040 in all42%
  4. Champaign CountyBest early June · 68 checklists that week, 2,549 in all42%
  5. Portage CountyBest the second week of June · 449 checklists that week, 27,633 in all42%
  6. Geauga CountyBest the second week of July · 580 checklists that week, 43,812 in all40%

Common questions

When do waxwings arrive in Ohio?
Cedar Waxwings reach Ohio in early May, are common by mid May, peak in early June (28% of checklists), and most are gone by the second week of November. They are the only regular waxwings in Ohio.
When do waxwings leave Ohio?
Most Cedar Waxwings have left Ohio by the second week of 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 Ohio?
The Cedar Waxwing is reported most often in early June, on about 28% of Ohio checklists.