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Cedar Waxwing

Bombycilla cedrorum

Bird · family Bombycillidae · order Passeriformes

  1. G1
    Critically imperiled
  2. G2
    Imperiled
  3. G3
    Vulnerable
  4. G4
    Apparently secure
  5. G5
    Secure

NatureServe global rank G5: secure[2].

Updated October 30, 2026. Published by Humblebee.

Cedar Waxwing
Photo: Jason Quinn, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Endangered Species Act
Not listed[1]
NatureServe global rank
G5 Secure[2]
Native in
50 states[3]
Oldest known wild bird
7 years[4]

The Cedar Waxwing is a songbird in the family Bombycillidae[5]. NatureServe ranks it Secure worldwide and in the United States, and it is native to 50 US states and territories[2][6][3].

Conservation status

NatureServe gives the Cedar Waxwing a global rank of G5, which means Secure[2]. Its national rank in the United States is N5, also Secure[6]. The IUCN Red List category recorded by NatureServe is Least concern[7]. The bird is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act[1]. It is on the federal list of migratory birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act[8].

Status Value
Endangered Species Act[1] Not listed
NatureServe global rank[2] G5 (Secure)
NatureServe US rank[6] N5 (Secure)
IUCN Red List (via NatureServe)[7] Least concern
Migratory Bird Treaty Act[8] Protected
Total population (NatureServe estimate)[9] 10,000 to >1,000,000 individuals

Where Cedar Waxwing lives

NatureServe lists the Cedar Waxwing as native in 50 US states and territories, from Alaska and Washington in the west to Maine and Florida in the east[3]. That list includes the District of Columbia[3]. NatureServe state ranks differ from place to place, and Mississippi is marked SNA[10]. The US states with the most GBIF observation records are New York, California, Pennsylvania, Texas and Michigan, but those counts follow where people watch birds and not how many birds live there[11]. The National Park Service records the bird in 215 park units[12].

Alaska: native, state rank S3BAKMaine: native, state rank S3N,S5BMEWisconsin: native, state rank S5BWIVermont: native, state rank S4B,S5NVTNew Hampshire: native, state rank S5NHWashington: native, state rank S4B,S3NWAIdaho: native, state rank S5IDMontana: native, state rank S5BMTNorth Dakota: native, state rank SNRB,SNRNNDMinnesota: native, state rank SNRB,SNRNMNIllinois: native, state rank S5ILMichigan: native, state rank S5MINew York: native, state rank S5BNYMassachusetts: native, state rank S5MAOregon: native, state rank S5ORNevada: native, state rank S3B,S4NNVWyoming: native, state rank S4BWYSouth Dakota: native, state rank S5B,S3NSDIowa: native, state rank S5B,S5NIAIndiana: native, state rank S4INOhio: native, state rank S5OHPennsylvania: native, state rank S5BPANew Jersey: native, state rank S4B,S4NNJConnecticut: native, state rank S5BCTRhode Island: native, state rank S5BRICalifornia: native, state rank SNRCAUtah: native, state rank S3B,S4NUTColorado: native, state rank S4B,S5NCONebraska: native, state rank SNRNNEMissouri: native, state rank SNRB,SNRNMOKentucky: native, state rank S4BKYWest Virginia: native, state rank S4N,S5BWVVirginia: native, state rank S4VAMaryland: native, state rank S5B,S5NMDDelaware: native, state rank S4DEArizona: native, state rank S3NAZNew Mexico: native, state rank S5NNMKansas: native, state rank S3B,S5NKSArkansas: native, state rank S1B,S5NARTennessee: native, state rank S4TNNorth Carolina: native, state rank S4B,S5NNCSouth Carolina: native, state rank S4SCDistrict of Columbia: native, state rank S1B,S4NDCOklahoma: native, state rank SNROKLouisiana: native, state rank S5NLAMississippi: native, state rank SNAMSAlabama: native, state rank S3B,S5NALGeorgia: native, state rank S5GAHawaii: not recordedHITexas: native, state rank S5TXFlorida: native, state rank SNRNFLPuerto Rico: not recordedPR
State presence as recorded by NatureServe[10].
Show state ranks (50 states)
StateRankMeaning
AlabamaS3B,S5NVulnerable (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)
AlaskaS3BVulnerable (breeding)
ArizonaS3NVulnerable (nonbreeding)
ArkansasS1B,S5NCritically Imperiled (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)
CaliforniaSNRNot Ranked
ColoradoS4B,S5NApparently Secure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)
ConnecticutS5BSecure (breeding)
DelawareS4Apparently Secure
District of ColumbiaS1B,S4NCritically Imperiled (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
FloridaSNRNNot Ranked (nonbreeding)
GeorgiaS5Secure
IdahoS5Secure
IllinoisS5Secure
IndianaS4Apparently Secure
IowaS5B,S5NSecure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)
KansasS3B,S5NVulnerable (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)
KentuckyS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
LouisianaS5NSecure (nonbreeding)
MaineS3N,S5BVulnerable (nonbreeding), Secure (breeding)
MarylandS5B,S5NSecure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)
MassachusettsS5Secure
MichiganS5Secure
MinnesotaSNRB,SNRNNot Ranked (breeding), Not Ranked (nonbreeding)
MississippiSNANot Applicable
MissouriSNRB,SNRNNot Ranked (breeding), Not Ranked (nonbreeding)
MontanaS5BSecure (breeding)
NebraskaSNRNNot Ranked (nonbreeding)
NevadaS3B,S4NVulnerable (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
New HampshireS5Secure
New JerseyS4B,S4NApparently Secure (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
New MexicoS5NSecure (nonbreeding)
New YorkS5BSecure (breeding)
North CarolinaS4B,S5NApparently Secure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)
North DakotaSNRB,SNRNNot Ranked (breeding), Not Ranked (nonbreeding)
OhioS5Secure
OklahomaSNRNot Ranked
OregonS5Secure
PennsylvaniaS5BSecure (breeding)
Rhode IslandS5BSecure (breeding)
South CarolinaS4Apparently Secure
South DakotaS5B,S3NSecure (breeding), Vulnerable (nonbreeding)
TennesseeS4Apparently Secure
TexasS5Secure
UtahS3B,S4NVulnerable (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
VermontS4B,S5NApparently Secure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)
VirginiaS4Apparently Secure
WashingtonS4B,S3NApparently Secure (breeding), Vulnerable (nonbreeding)
West VirginiaS4N,S5BApparently Secure (nonbreeding), Secure (breeding)
WisconsinS5BSecure (breeding)
WyomingS4BApparently Secure (breeding)

Habitat

NatureServe records many habitats for the Cedar Waxwing, including hardwood, conifer and mixed forest, woodland, old fields, suburban areas and orchards, and streamside areas[13]. It likes open woodland, forest edges, second growth, parks, orchards and gardens[14]. In migration and winter it can show up wherever there are trees[14]. It builds its nest in a tree or shrub, on a fork or an outer branch[14].

Habitat types recorded by NatureServe[13]

Size, diet and lifespan

The Cedar Waxwing is about 18 cm (7 in) long and weighs about 33 g[15][16]. It eats mostly fruit, with an estimated diet of 70% fruit, 20% invertebrates and 10% other plant material[17]. NatureServe calls it a fruit eater and an invertebrate eater[18]. A typical clutch is 4 eggs, and incubation lasts about 14 days[19][20]. The oldest known wild bird in banding records was at least 7 years 2 months old[4].

Trait Value
Typical length[15] 18 cm (7 in)
Typical adult weight[16] 33 g (1.2 oz)
Longest recorded lifespan (AnAge)[21] 8.2 years (wild)
Oldest known wild bird (banding)[4] 7 years 2 months
Litter or clutch size[19] 4
Gestation or incubation[20] 14 days
Female maturity[22] 365 days (about 1.0 years)
Food habits[18] Invertivore, Frugivore
Migration[23] non-migrant, local migrant, long-distance migrant

Estimated diet composition (EltonTraits 1.0)[17]

  • 70% fruit
  • 20% invertebrates
  • 10% other plant material

When to look for it

The Cedar Waxwing is active during the day[24]. Its movements vary, and NatureServe lists it as a non-migrant, local migrant or long-distance migrant depending on the population[23]. Observation records on GBIF peak in May, June and July[25]. These records show when people look and report, not how many birds there are[25].

January: 277,659 recordsJanFebruary: 275,276 recordsFebMarch: 286,330 recordsMarApril: 360,304 recordsAprMay: 864,595 recordsMayJune: 806,311 recordsJunJuly: 629,232 recordsJulAugust: 609,418 recordsAugSeptember: 563,630 recordsSepOctober: 385,700 recordsOctNovember: 302,669 recordsNovDecember: 272,450 recordsDec
US observation records on GBIF by month, all years. The three months with the most records are highlighted. Records show when people look and report, not how many animals there are[25].
Show records by month
MonthRecords
January277,659
February275,276
March286,330
April360,304
May864,595
June806,311
July629,232
August609,418
September563,630
October385,700
November302,669
December272,450

Where to see it

National Park Service species lists record Cedar Waxwing as present in 215 park units[12]. Present means the park has a confirmed record, not that sightings are common.

And 191 more park units.

States with the most GBIF observation records: New York, California, Pennsylvania, Texas, Michigan[11]. These counts follow where people look and report, not population size.

Questions people ask

Is the Cedar Waxwing endangered?
No. It is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act[1]. NatureServe ranks it Secure worldwide and in the United States[2][6].
Where does the Cedar Waxwing live?
NatureServe lists it as native in 50 US states and territories[3]. It uses open woodland, forest edges, parks, orchards and gardens[14].
What does the Cedar Waxwing eat?
It eats mostly fruit, with an estimated diet of 70% fruit, 20% invertebrates and 10% other plant material[17].
How big is a Cedar Waxwing?
It is about 18 cm (7 in) long and weighs about 33 g[15][16].
How long does a Cedar Waxwing live?
The oldest known banded wild bird was at least 7 years 2 months old[4]. That is a record, not a typical lifespan.

Facts and sources

  1. Cedar Waxwing is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS ECOS data (checked 2026-10-30). USFWS ECOS
  2. NatureServe global conservation status rank for Cedar Waxwing: G5 (Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  3. NatureServe lists Cedar Waxwing as native in 50 US states and territories: Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky,... NatureServe Explorer
  4. Oldest known wild Cedar Waxwing from US and Canadian bird banding records: at least 7 years 2 months old (USGS Bird Banding Laboratory). USGS Bird Banding Lab
  5. Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) is a bird in the family Bombycillidae, order Passeriformes. NatureServe Explorer
  6. NatureServe national rank in the United States: N5 (Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  7. IUCN Red List category as recorded by NatureServe: Least concern. NatureServe Explorer
  8. Cedar Waxwing is on the federal list of migratory birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (50 CFR 10.13). eCFR, 50 CFR 10.13
  9. NatureServe estimate of total adult population (global, as a range): 10,000 to >1,000,000 individuals. NatureServe Explorer
  10. NatureServe state ranks for Cedar Waxwing (map and table on this page). NatureServe Explorer
  11. US states with the most GBIF observation records of Cedar Waxwing: New York, California, Pennsylvania, Texas, Michigan. Record counts follow observer effort, not population size. GBIF
  12. NPSpecies park lists recording Cedar Waxwing as present (list on this page). NPS NPSpecies
  13. Habitat types NatureServe records for Cedar Waxwing: Forest - hardwood, Forest - conifer, Forest - mixed, Woodland - hardwood, Woodland - conifer, Woodland - mixed, Old field, Suburban/orchard, Riparian. NatureServe Explorer
  14. NatureServe notes on habitat for Cedar Waxwing. NatureServe Explorer
  15. Typical length recorded by NatureServe: 18 cm (7 in). NatureServe Explorer
  16. Typical adult weight recorded by NatureServe: 33 g (1.2 oz). NatureServe Explorer
  17. Estimated diet composition in EltonTraits 1.0: 70% fruit, 20% invertebrates, 10% other plant material. EltonTraits 1.0
  18. Adult food habits recorded by NatureServe: Invertivore, Frugivore. NatureServe Explorer
  19. Typical litter or clutch size in AnAge: 4. AnAge
  20. Gestation or incubation period in AnAge: 14 days. AnAge
  21. Maximum recorded lifespan in AnAge: 8.2 years in the wild. This is a record, not a typical lifespan. AnAge
  22. Age at female sexual maturity in AnAge: 365 days (about 1.0 years). AnAge
  23. NatureServe migration category for Cedar Waxwing: non-migrant, local migrant, long-distance migrant (populations can differ). NatureServe Explorer
  24. Adult activity patterns recorded by NatureServe: Diurnal. NatureServe Explorer
  25. GBIF observation records of Cedar Waxwing in the US by month (chart on this page). GBIF

Status, range and habitat come from NatureServe Explorer (CC BY 4.0) and USFWS ECOS at the snapshot date. Listings change by federal rule. State lists are where NatureServe records the species, not a promise that you will see it there. Never name a place smaller than a state. GBIF and park records count observations and checklists. They show where and when people report the species, not how many animals live there.

NatureServe. 2026. NatureServe Explorer [web application]. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org. (Accessed: October 30, 2026). Licensed under CC BY 4.0; SpeciesFacts selected and summarized it.

Photo: Jason Quinn, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.