Cedar Waxwing

Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) is in the Waxwings family (Bombycillidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 81,500 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.

Seasonal pattern in the national data: year-round resident. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.

When to photograph Cedar Waxwing: observations by month (U.S.)

About Cedar Waxwing

The cedar waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) is a member of the family Bombycillidae or waxwing family of passerine birds. It is a medium-sized, mostly brown, gray, and yellow. This bird is named for its wax-like wing tips. It is a native of North and Central America, breeding in open wooded areas in southern Canada and wintering in the southern half of the United States, Central America, and the far northwest of South America. Its diet includes cedar...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.

Cedar Waxwing by state

Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.

Related birds (Waxwings)

Bohemian WaxwingBombycilla garrulus

Photography tips

• Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
• Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
• Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
• Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.

FAQ