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Are There Cedar Waxwings in Maryland?

Yes, cedar waxwings are common across Maryland throughout spring, summer, and fall. They breed statewide from May through August and pass through during migration periods. Some populations remain through winter in central Maryland when berry supplies hold, though most birds depart by November. Cedar waxwings thrive in orchards, riparian forests, and residential neighborhoods with abundant fruit trees.

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By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 21, 2026.

Cedar Waxwing photographed in Maryland

Cedar Waxwing · Shirley Zundell CC BY

Cedar Waxwing photographed in Maryland

Cedar Waxwing · Public domain CC0

Cedar Waxwing photographed in Maryland

Cedar Waxwing · Public domain CC0

Photos by iNaturalist observers, reused under the licence each observer chose.
Found in Maryland
166,357
GBIF records
6
birding hotspots

Yes, cedar waxwings are in Maryland. Next you'll want:

Yes, cedar waxwings are common across Maryland throughout spring, summer, and fall. They breed statewide from May through August and pass through during migration periods. Some populations remain through winter in central Maryland when berry supplies hold, though most birds depart by November. Cedar waxwings thrive in orchards, riparian forests, and residential neighborhoods with abundant fruit trees.

Where Cedar Waxwings Are Found in Maryland

Cedar waxwings breed throughout Maryland in nearly every habitat with berry-producing trees. The Upper Potomac River valley hosts numerous breeding populations, as do the riparian areas along the Patuxent River and Patapsco River. Western Maryland's Garrett County provides excellent habitat in mixed forests and orchards. The Eastern Shore supports significant populations in fruit-rich landscape corridors. Suburban areas around Baltimore and Washington DC attract waxwings to residential neighborhoods with ornamental plantings. Wetland edges and forest margins throughout Frederick and Carroll Counties provide ideal conditions. The Chesapeake Bay shoreline from Cecil County to Somerset County offers productive habitat during migration. Central Maryland's piedmont region in Montgomery and Howard Counties supports useful breeding populations, particularly in areas with mixed deciduous woodlands and agricultural lands. Seethe Cedar Waxwing guide for Marylandfor more.

Seasonal Timing and Migration

Cedar waxwings typically arrive in Maryland in late April or early May to begin breeding. Populations peak from June through August when family groups congregate in fruit-rich areas. Fall migration occurs from August through October, with birds staging in berry-rich patches before departing. Some cedar waxwings remain through winter in central and southern Maryland if adequate fruit persists. Winter presence is unpredictable and depends heavily on weather and fruiting phenology. Spring migration brings fresh arrivals in March and April as returning birds establish territories. The species' timing varies considerably year to year based on fruit availability and weather patterns. Peak visibility for most observers occurs in June and July when breeding birds are most vocal and visible near suitable nesting habitat.

Identifying Cedar Waxwings

Cedar waxwings are sleek songbirds approximately seven inches long with distinctive polished plumage. The most striking feature is their neat crest and a crisp black mask that gives them a masked appearance. Their body is soft gray with a white belly, while the rump and undertail coverts display bright yellow coloring. The tail is yellow-tipped, creating a sharp contrast with the darker flight feathers. Their wings display red waxy tips, the namesake feature of their species. Both males and females wear identical plumage. Juveniles lack the black mask and have streaked brown coloring with faint wing markings. Cedar waxwings produce thin, high-pitched whistles often heard before the birds are seen. Their vocalizations consist mainly of "see-see-see" calls rather than complex songs.

Where Sightings Concentrate in Maryland

Cedar waxwings concentrate predictably in areas with abundant wild and ornamental fruits. Riparian forests along the Potomac, Patuxent, and Patapsco Rivers host reliable populations. Wetland margins planted with elderberry, dogwood, and viburnum attract flocks consistently. Suburban neighborhoods in Baltimore, Howard, and Montgomery Counties with mature ornamental plantings frequently host waxwings. Orchards in Washington and Frederick Counties provide rich feeding opportunities during summer. State parks like Fair Hill in Cecil County and Rocks State Park in Harford County offer good viewing opportunities. The Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge on the Eastern Shore attracts waxwings during migration periods. Agricultural margins with wild cherry and mulberry trees support nomadic flocks as fruits ripen. Residential gardens with juniper, serviceberry, and Russian olive plantings attract flocks throughout the year when fruits are available.

Behavior and Diet

Cedar waxwings are specialist frugivores, consuming fruit as their primary food source year-round. They supplement with insects during breeding season, particularly when feeding nestlings. Waxwings are highly nomadic, constantly moving to track ripening fruit sources rather than maintaining fixed territories like most songbirds. They are intensely social, typically foraging in flocks even during breeding season. Multiple pairs often nest in close proximity, creating loose breeding colonies. A unique courtship display involves pairs passing berries back and forth repeatedly. Waxwings consume berries whole and can process enormous quantities in a single sitting. They spend prolonged periods silently perched while feeding, only vocalizing when flying between feeding locations. Their frugivorous diet makes them important seed dispersers throughout Maryland's forests and neighborhoods.

Coexistence and Conservation

Cedar waxwings are fully protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Maryland state law. They pose no threat to human safety or agricultural interests. While they occasionally consume ornamental fruit intended for humans, the impact is negligible on commercial crops. Most property owners appreciate their presence as both beautiful visitors and indicators of healthy landscape plantings. Cedar waxwing populations in Maryland remain stable with no conservation concerns. Planting native berry-producing trees and shrubs supports waxwings without requiring active management. These birds do not use nest boxes or cavity nest sites, so traditional birdhouse installation is ineffective. Maintaining snags and dead wood provides valuable perches and supports insect populations. Leaving some cultivated berry plants unharvested benefits both waxwings and other native wildlife. Visitwildlife/marylandfor more information on the state's bird species.

Species Commonly Confused with Cedar Waxwings

Bohemian waxwings occasionally visit Maryland during winter invasions and closely resemble cedar waxwings. Bohemian waxwings show rusty undertail coverts and white wing patches that cedar waxwings lack entirely. American robins are larger, show a red breast, and have a different body shape and behavior. Young cedar waxwings lack the black mask and appear brownish, potentially causing confusion with juvenile warblers. Cedar waxwings fromwildlife/marylanddiffer markedly from female scarlet tanagers despite superficial similarities in some lighting. Tufted titmice are smaller with rusty sides and lack the distinctive head pattern. Yellow warblers are brighter yellow with fine streaking and lack the crest. Knowing cedar waxwing field marks, particularly the black mask and crested head, quickly distinguishes them from all similar species in the state.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will cedar waxwings damage my fruit or vegetable garden? Cedar waxwings rarely consume garden vegetables and damage fruit crops only minimally. They prefer wild berries and ornamental fruits, actually helping to disperse seeds. What does the red coloring on cedar waxwing wings indicate? The red waxy tips serve no known function and may be partially an artifact of their unique feather structure. Why do cedar waxwings often remain silent? Silent feeding behavior helps them hunt insects effectively while foraging quietly on fruit trees. Can I attract cedar waxwings to my yard? Plant native trees like serviceberry, dogwood, and elderberry to attract waxwings naturally. For detailed guidance on attracting Maryland's birds, explorewildlifeor visitwildlife/marylandfor regional information.

Plan your cedar waxwing sighting in Maryland

166,357 verified cedar waxwing records have been logged in Maryland, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.

Where to look in Maryland

Birding hotspots via eBird (Cornell Lab).

Recent cedar waxwing sightings

  • Cherrywood Ave. · 2026-07-20 19:45 · 2 seen
  • Black Hill Hiker/Biker Trail · 2026-07-20 19:37 · 10 seen
  • North Creek · 2026-07-20 19:34 · 1 seen
  • Prettyboy Reservoir--Georges Creek Trail · 2026-07-20 19:15 · 5 seen
  • Howard Community College - Columbia Campus · 2026-07-20 17:53 · 1 seen

Planning a trip to see cedar waxwing? Find places to stay near Antietam National Battlefield on Booking.com.

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