WhenToBird

Cedar Waxwing · Bombycilla cedrorum

When Do Waxwings Arrive in Oklahoma?

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

Cedar Waxwings reach Oklahoma in early October, are common by the second week of November, peak in the second week of May (18% of checklists), and most are gone by late May. They are the only regular waxwings in Oklahoma.

When to look

First arrivalsOct 1-7early October
Common byNov 8-14the second week of November
PeakMay 8-14the second week of May
Most gone byMay 22-31late May

Best: the second week of May. First arrivals early October; most are gone by late May. Peak: on about 18% of Oklahoma checklists.

  1. Jancommon
  2. Febcommon
  3. Marcommon
  4. Aprpeak season
  5. Maypeak season
  6. Junrare
  7. Julnot usually seen
  8. Augnot usually seen
  9. Seprare
  10. Octrare
  11. Novcommon
  12. Deccommon

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

Waxwings in Oklahoma, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Cedar WaxwingOct 1-7Nov 8-14May 8-14May 22-3118%
0%5%10%15%20%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 Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma

Best counties for Cedar Waxwing

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Stephens CountyBest mid April · 32 checklists that week, 945 in all42%
  2. Payne CountyBest the second week of May · 1039 checklists that week, 29,283 in all34%
  3. Mayes CountyBest the second week of December · 10 checklists that week, 459 in all32%
  4. Bryan CountyBest early May · 63 checklists that week, 1,517 in all31%
  5. Pushmataha CountyBest the second week of March · 10 checklists that week, 361 in all29%
  6. Blaine CountyBest late January · 48 checklists that week, 732 in all28%

Common questions

When do waxwings arrive in Oklahoma?
Cedar Waxwings reach Oklahoma in early October, are common by the second week of November, peak in the second week of May (18% of checklists), and most are gone by late May. They are the only regular waxwings in Oklahoma.
When do waxwings leave Oklahoma?
Most Cedar Waxwings have left Oklahoma by late May, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until early June.
When is the best time to see waxwings in Oklahoma?
The Cedar Waxwing is reported most often in the second week of May, on about 18% of Oklahoma checklists.