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Are There Cedar Waxwings in New Mexico?

Cedar Waxwings occur throughout New Mexico, with presence varying seasonally and by elevation. They are more common during migration and winter months, particularly in lower elevation areas. Some remain year-round in favorable locations with adequate water and fruit. Exploring [/wildlife/new-mexico](/wildlife/new-mexico) reveals Cedar Waxwings in riparian zones and orchards during specific seasons.

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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 New Mexico

Cedar Waxwing · Shirley Zundell CC BY

Cedar Waxwing photographed in New Mexico

Cedar Waxwing · Public domain CC0

Cedar Waxwing photographed in New Mexico

Cedar Waxwing · Public domain CC0

Photos by iNaturalist observers, reused under the licence each observer chose.
Found in New Mexico
22,959
GBIF records
6
birding hotspots

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

Cedar Waxwings occur throughout New Mexico, with presence varying seasonally and by elevation. They are more common during migration and winter months, particularly in lower elevation areas. Some remain year-round in favorable locations with adequate water and fruit. Exploring/wildlife/new-mexicoreveals Cedar Waxwings in riparian zones and orchards during specific seasons.

Cedar Waxwing Distribution Across New Mexico

Cedar Waxwings are found statewide in New Mexico, though abundance varies dramatically by season and elevation. The Rio Grande Valley provides excellent year-round habitat with cottonwoods, willows, and various fruit-bearing shrubs. The Pecos River drainage in central and southern New Mexico supports populations in riparian corridors. Northern New Mexico mountains, including areas around Santa Fe and Taos, host Cedar Waxwings at moderate elevations where fruit-producing vegetation occurs. Orchards and gardens throughout the state attract waxwings during migration. The Gila Valley in southwestern New Mexico provides riparian habitat. Lower elevation areas along the Arizona border and southern regions see higher concentrations during winter. The bosques, or riparian forests, along major waterways throughout the state provide ideal habitat. Higher mountains are less suitable except where fruit-bearing shrubs grow in canyon bottoms and meadow edges. Urban and suburban areas with landscaping containing fruit-bearing plants attract migrants and winter residents throughout New Mexico. Seethe Cedar Waxwing guide for New Mexicofor more.

Seasonal Occurrence and Timing

Cedar Waxwings arrive in New Mexico in spring, with earliest records in March and April. Numbers increase through May as migrants pass through toward breeding grounds in northern states and Canada. Summer populations are sparse in New Mexico, with breeding birds remaining only in the northernmost mountains and cooler highland areas. Post-breeding movement begins in late July and August as northern populations head south. Fall migration intensifies in September and October, with peak numbers in October. Many Cedar Waxwings remain in New Mexico through the winter, particularly in lower elevation areas. Winter populations concentrate wherever fruit remains accessible, especially in riparian zones and cultivated areas. February and March see spring migrants returning northward. The timing varies annually with weather patterns and fruit availability. Peak viewing occurs from September through November during fall migration and again from December through March when winter residents are present. Seethe New Mexico wildlife guidefor more.

How to Identify Cedar Waxwings

Cedar Waxwings are medium-sized songbirds measuring approximately seven inches in length. Their most distinctive feature is the prominent crest on the head. Look for sleek gray-brown plumage and a striking black mask across the face. The tail displays bright yellow tips, making this one of the most recognizable field marks. Adult birds often show bright red, waxy-looking tips on secondary flight feathers, especially visible in spring. Males and females appear nearly identical in the field. Juveniles are paler and more streaked, lacking the sharp facial mask and showing little or no red on wing feathers. Cedar Waxwings produce high-pitched, thin calls that sound like "seee-seee-seee." These lisping calls are often the first indication of their presence. Their refined posture, smooth flight, and tendency to flock tightly together make Cedar Waxwings distinctive and recognizable once learned. Seethe national wildlife hubfor more.

Best Viewing Locations in New Mexico

For Cedar Waxwings, the/wildlife/new-mexico/cedar-waxwingguide provides detailed location information for each region. The Rio Grande Valley between Albuquerque and El Paso offers excellent viewing during migration and winter. Bosque forests near major river systems throughout the state concentrate Cedar Waxwings when fruit is abundant. Orchards in the northern Rio Grande Valley around Espanola and Santa Fe attract migrants spring and fall. Higher elevation areas like canyon bottoms in the Gila National Forest host waxwings in late summer when local berries ripen. Lower desert areas and foot-hill orchards concentrate winter visitors. Riparian reserves and wildlife management areas along the Pecos River provide reliable habitat. Parks and gardens with native fruit-bearing trees throughout New Mexico's towns and cities attract Cedar Waxwings during migration. Bosque bird walks in Albuquerque regularly produce Cedar Waxwing sightings during appropriate seasons.

Cedar Waxwing Feeding Ecology and Behavior

Cedar Waxwings are among the most social of all songbirds, typically observed in flocks rather than singly. They primarily consume small fruits and berries from plants including juniper, chokecherry, serviceberry, dogwood, and various ornamental fruit trees. They also eat seeds from conifers and occasionally catch insects in mid-air. Cedar Waxwings engage in unique fruit-passing behavior where birds in a line hand fruit along before one finally consumes it, a behavior with unknown purpose. They spend considerable time preening and resting between feeding bouts. When fruit is abundant, Cedar Waxwings concentrate in flocks, sometimes numbering in the hundreds. They are quiet, orderly birds lacking the aggressiveness common in many species. Their nomadic lifestyle means Cedar Waxwings move continuously to follow food sources. This behavior requires flexibility in breeding timing, with delayed nesting in cool years versus earlier breeding when conditions favor fruit production.

Safety, Legal Status, and Coexistence

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 to abundant in New Mexico during migration and winter and face no conservation threats. The birds rarely cause problems for people and require no management. Cedar Waxwings occasionally visit gardens and parks in New Mexico towns, providing delightful viewing opportunities. If they congregate on fruit trees in your yard, enjoy them as temporary visitors that typically remain only days until local fruit is depleted. No action is necessary or recommended. Maintaining native berry-producing plants benefits Cedar Waxwings and many other wildlife species. Providing fresh water sources is particularly valuable in New Mexico's arid climate. These polished birds indicate healthy riparian and forest ecosystems with adequate natural food and shelter.

Species That Resemble Cedar Waxwings

Bohemian Waxwings are the species most likely confused with Cedar Waxwings, though Bohemians are rare in New Mexico and occur primarily in the northern mountains during severe winters. When present, Bohemians are larger, grayer, and show distinctive rusty-colored undertail coverts instead of yellow. They display prominent white wing markings not seen on Cedar Waxwings. Starlings share similar size but have spotty plumage and lack the crest. Flycatchers and phoebes resemble waxwings in profile but are smaller and more actively forage. Tanagers and grosbeaks have heavier bills and different plumage patterns. Warblers are typically smaller with different facial patterns and behaviors. Thrushes are chunky compared to the sleek Cedar Waxwing form. To confirm Cedar Waxwings, look for the combination of sleek gray plumage, obvious crest, black mask, and distinctive yellow tail tip. The thin, lisping calls are also reliable for identification.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cedar Waxwings

When are Cedar Waxwings most common in New Mexico? Cedar Waxwings are most abundant during fall migration (September to November) and winter months (December to March). Spring migrants pass through March and April. Do Cedar Waxwings breed in New Mexico? Breeding is uncommon in New Mexico, occurring only rarely in the northernmost mountains. Most New Mexico birds are migrants or winter residents. Why are Cedar Waxwings nomadic? These birds follow ripening fruit across the landscape, moving whenever food becomes scarce. This nomadic lifestyle allows them to exploit seasonal abundance in different regions. Can I attract Cedar Waxwings? Plant native berry-producing shrubs and small trees like juniper, chokecherry, and serviceberry. Provide fresh water. Visit the/wildlifesection for additional habitat tips benefiting Cedar Waxwings and other species.

Plan your cedar waxwing sighting in New Mexico

22,959 verified cedar waxwing records have been logged in New Mexico, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.

Where to look in New Mexico

Birding hotspots via eBird (Cornell Lab).

Recent cedar waxwing sightings

  • Carson NF--Tierra Azul Wetlands · 2026-07-20 19:15 · 2 seen
  • Bosque School, Albuquerque US-NM 35.14371, -106.68581 · 2026-07-20 19:11 · 2 seen
  • Riverside Nature Center, Farmington · 2026-07-20 11:28 · 2 seen
  • Rio Fernando Wetlands (Fred Baca Park and adjacent Rio Fernando Park) · 2026-07-20 11:27 · 3 seen
  • 612 East River Street, Red River, New Mexico, US (36.704, -105.402) · 2026-07-20 09:25 · 1 seen

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

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