WhenToBird

Cedar Waxwing · Bombycilla cedrorum

When Do Waxwings Arrive in Oregon?

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

Cedar Waxwings reach Oregon in late April, are common by mid May, peak in early August (23% of checklists), and most are gone by late October. They are the only regular waxwings in Oregon.

When to look

First arrivalsApr 22-30late April
Common byMay 15-21mid May
PeakAug 1-7early August
Most gone byOct 22-31late October

Best: early August. First arrivals late April; most are gone by late October. Peak: on about 23% of Oregon checklists.

  1. Janrare
  2. Febrare
  3. Marrare
  4. Aprrare
  5. Maypeak season
  6. Junpeak season
  7. Julpeak season
  8. Augpeak season
  9. Seppeak season
  10. Octpeak season
  11. Novcommon
  12. Decrare

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

Waxwings in Oregon, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Cedar WaxwingApr 22-30May 15-21Aug 1-7Oct 22-3123%
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 Oregon 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 Oregon

Best counties for Cedar Waxwing

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Washington CountyBest early June · 2007 checklists that week, 110,376 in all48%
  2. Marion CountyBest early June · 1088 checklists that week, 52,870 in all39%
  3. Multnomah CountyBest early June · 3419 checklists that week, 182,088 in all39%
  4. Polk CountyBest early July · 493 checklists that week, 29,096 in all38%
  5. Tillamook CountyBest early August · 988 checklists that week, 45,809 in all35%
  6. Union CountyBest early August · 471 checklists that week, 33,301 in all34%

Common questions

When do waxwings arrive in Oregon?
Cedar Waxwings reach Oregon in late April, are common by mid May, peak in early August (23% of checklists), and most are gone by late October. They are the only regular waxwings in Oregon.
When do waxwings leave Oregon?
Most Cedar Waxwings have left Oregon by late October, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until early February.
When is the best time to see waxwings in Oregon?
The Cedar Waxwing is reported most often in early August, on about 23% of Oregon checklists.