Are There Cedar Waxwings in New Hampshire?
Cedar Waxwings are common in New Hampshire during the breeding season and throughout migration. They arrive in spring, remain through summer and fall, and some individuals winter in the state. Visitors exploring [/wildlife/new-hampshire](/wildlife/new-hampshire) will find Cedar Waxwings in orchards, gardens, and riparian forests with abundant berry-producing plants throughout much of the year.
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 · Shirley Zundell CC BY
Cedar Waxwing · Public domain CC0
Cedar Waxwing · Public domain CC0
- 73,219
- GBIF records
- 6
- birding hotspots
Yes, cedar waxwings are in New Hampshire. Next you'll want:
Cedar Waxwings are common in New Hampshire during the breeding season and throughout migration. They arrive in spring, remain through summer and fall, and some individuals winter in the state. Visitors exploring/wildlife/new-hampshirewill find Cedar Waxwings in orchards, gardens, and riparian forests with abundant berry-producing plants throughout much of the year.
Where Cedar Waxwings Are Found in New Hampshire
Cedar Waxwings are distributed across New Hampshire wherever suitable habitat exists. The Connecticut River Valley, forming the border between New Hampshire and Vermont, provides excellent riparian habitat with cottonwoods and willows that attract waxwings. The Merrimack River drainage supports populations throughout central and southern New Hampshire. The White Mountains region in the north hosts summer breeding populations in lower elevation valleys. Lake Winnipesaukee and other larger lakes have riparian and wetland habitat favorable to waxwings. Coastal regions near Portsmouth and the seacoast marshlands provide migration corridors. Rural orchards and agricultural areas throughout the state attract waxwings year-round, especially where wild fruits remain unpicked. Urban and suburban gardens with berry-bearing trees and shrubs host migrants and summer residents. State parks like Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge and various forest preserves across New Hampshire offer reliable viewing opportunities during spring and fall migration periods. Seethe Cedar Waxwing guide for New Hampshirefor more.
Seasonal Presence and Migration Patterns
Cedar Waxwings arrive in New Hampshire in mid-April as spring migration begins. Numbers peak in May as birds establish breeding territories throughout the state. They remain as common summer residents from June through early August, raising young where fruit is available for feeding their families. Late summer and early fall bring post-breeding movements starting in late July and August. Fall migration intensifies in September and October as northern populations move south. Some Cedar Waxwings linger into November and December in New Hampshire, particularly in milder years or where food remains abundant. Winter residents are uncommon but possible in southern New Hampshire and along the coast. February and March may see occasional wintering birds or early spring migrants. The precise timing varies with weather, food availability, and individual migration patterns. Peak viewing occurs from May through June for breeding birds and again from August through October during fall migration. Seethe New Hampshire wildlife guidefor more.
Identifying Cedar Waxwings in New Hampshire
Cedar Waxwings are medium-sized, polished songbirds measuring approximately seven inches in length. Look for their distinctive sleek gray-brown plumage and prominent crest on the head. The most memorable field mark is the black mask across the face, resembling a bandit's mask. Adult birds display bright yellow tips on their tail feathers and often show red, waxy-looking tips on secondary wing feathers. Sexes look nearly identical in the field. Juveniles lack the sharp facial mask and red wing patches, appearing paler and more streaked overall. Cedar Waxwings emit high-pitched, thin calls sounding like "seee-seee-seee," often the first indication of their presence. They often call in flight, especially when moving between feeding sites. Their refined posture, smooth movements, and tendency to feed together in flocks make Cedar Waxwings recognizable once you become familiar with them. Seethe national wildlife hubfor more.
Best Locations for Cedar Waxwing Sightings
For Cedar Waxwings in New Hampshire, focus on areas with abundant fruit and riparian vegetation. The/wildlife/new-hampshire/cedar-waxwingguide highlights prime spots for each season. During spring and fall migration, search the Connecticut River Valley for flocks passing through. The Merrimack River provides excellent habitat from Manchester northward. Orchards in southern New Hampshire, particularly in the foothills region, attract migrants feeding on leftover fruit. Parks with native berry-producing trees like dogwood, serviceberry, and hawthorn host cedar waxwings reliably. Lake Winnipesaukee's shoreline vegetation during migration months yields frequent sightings. White Mountains valleys with wetland edges and shrub areas host breeding populations. In fall, cedar waxwings congregate wherever juniper and other winter fruit-producing plants grow. Birding hot spots like Odiorne Point State Park and various freshwater marshes provide excellent viewing opportunities during migration.
Cedar Waxwing Behavior and Food Habits
Cedar Waxwings are among the most social of all songbirds, commonly seen in flocks ranging from a few individuals to several hundred. They primarily consume small fruits and berries from plants like cedar, juniper, dogwood, serviceberry, chokecherry, elderberry, and hawthorn. In spring and early summer, they also catch insects in mid-air, a behavior becoming more frequent as breeding season approaches. Cedar Waxwings engage in an unusual fruit-passing behavior where birds in a line pass fruit along the line before one finally eats it. The function remains unknown, though it may strengthen social bonds. They are quiet, orderly birds spending much time preening and resting. Their breeding season occurs relatively late compared to most songbirds, typically beginning in June or July to coincide with peak fruit availability. They are nomadic within breeding season, moving to new areas as fruit supplies change.
Safety and Legal Protections
Cedar Waxwings are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, making it illegal to capture, kill, or keep them without federal permits. They are common in New Hampshire and face no conservation threats. The birds rarely cause problems for people and require no management. They occasionally visit residential gardens and parks, providing excellent viewing opportunities. If Cedar Waxwings congregate on ornamental or fruit trees on your property, consider yourself fortunate as temporary hosts to these beautiful visitors. They typically depart within a few days once local fruit supplies are depleted. No action is necessary or recommended. Maintaining native berry-producing shrubs and small trees benefits Cedar Waxwings and many other wildlife species. Providing clean water sources, especially during dry periods, is also appreciated. These birds indicate healthy ecosystems with adequate natural food and shelter.
Species Confused with Cedar Waxwings
Bohemian Waxwings are the species most likely to be confused with Cedar Waxwings in New Hampshire, though Bohemians are primarily western birds and rarely occur here. When present, Bohemian Waxwings are noticeably larger, grayer, and show distinctive rust-colored undertail feathers rather than yellow. They also display white wing bars and more extensive white markings. Starlings share a similar silhouette but have spotty plumage and lack the crest. Various flycatchers and phoebes resemble waxwings in outline but are smaller and actively flycatch insects. Cardinalids and grosbeaks have much heavier bills. Warblers are typically smaller with different facial patterns and behaviors. Thrushes are chunky compared to waxwings. To confirm a Cedar Waxwing sighting, focus on the combination of sleek gray plumage, prominent crest, distinctive black mask, and yellow tail tip. The thin, high-pitched calls are also diagnostic.
Common Questions About Cedar Waxwings in New Hampshire
When do Cedar Waxwings breed in New Hampshire? Cedar Waxwings breed from June through August, later than most songbirds, timing reproduction to coincide with peak fruit availability for feeding young. Why are Cedar Waxwings so nomadic? These birds follow fruit ripening across the landscape, moving whenever food becomes scarce. This nomadic lifestyle allows them to exploit seasonal abundance across different regions. Do Cedar Waxwings stay in New Hampshire year-round? Most leave by late fall, though small numbers may winter in favorable locations or mild years. Are Cedar Waxwings common? Yes, they are common to abundant during breeding and migration seasons. How can I attract Cedar Waxwings? Plant native berry-producing shrubs and trees like serviceberry, dogwood, and hawthorn. Provide fresh water. Visit the/wildlifesection for more habitat recommendations benefiting Cedar Waxwings and other species.
Plan your cedar waxwing sighting in New Hampshire
73,219 verified cedar waxwing records have been logged in New Hampshire, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in New Hampshire
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Odiorne Point SP, Rye · 315 species recorded
- New Hampshire Coast (consider using a more specific location) · 314 species recorded
- Isles of Shoals (NH) · 308 species recorded
- Isles of Shoals--Star Island, Rye · 290 species recorded
- Hampton-Seabrook Marsh · 272 species recorded
- Rye Harbor SP (Ragged Neck) · 254 species recorded
Birding hotspots via eBird (Cornell Lab).
Recent cedar waxwing sightings
- Ossipee Lake · 2026-07-20 20:12 · 1 seen
- Wilson's Landing, Hanover · 2026-07-20 19:44 · 2 seen
- Chesham Rd · 2026-07-20 19:40 · 3 seen
- Stumpy's Private Yard, Errol NH · 2026-07-20 19:15 · 1 seen
- Woodward Road yard, Westmoreland · 2026-07-20 19:15 · 8 seen
More wildlife in New Hampshire