Cedar waxwings are medium-sized songbirds that breed across North America. In winter, they can be found in large flocks, often in fruiting trees or bushes. But do cedar waxwings actually migrate south for the winter?
The short answer is yes, cedar waxwings do migrate south in winter, though exactly how far south they go depends on a few factors.
Cedar Waxwing Habits
Cedar waxwings are highly social birds that move and feed in large flocks. They primarily eat fruit and berries. Some key facts about cedar waxwings:
- They breed across southern Canada and the northern half of the United States.
- They start forming large winter flocks in late summer/early fall.
- They are irruptive winter migrants, meaning their migration patterns vary from year to year depending on food supplies.
- In winter they search for fruit trees and bushes, supplementing their diet with insects.
- They often return to the same winter sites if food sources are reliable.
Do Cedar Waxwings Migrate?
Yes, cedar waxwings do migrate south for the winter. However, because they are irruptive migrants, exactly how far south they migrate really depends on the food supply.
In years when fruit is plentiful far north, some flocks may only migrate short distances. In years when food is scarce, they’ll migrate much farther south to find a reliable food source.
Some waxwings even stay year-round in the northern part of their range if they have access to a consistent food source. But the majority head south in search of food each winter.
How Far South do They Migrate?
Cedar waxwings breed as far north as Alaska and Canada. In winter, they can be found across the southern U.S. and even into Central America.
Here’s a general overview of their winter range:
- Northern states: Waxwings that bred in northern Canada will migrate south into the northern U.S. states like Minnesota, Michigan, Washington, Montana, and Maine.
- Mid-Atlantic and Southeast: Large numbers of waxwings move from northeastern Canada and New England to mid-Atlantic states like North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and south to Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi.
- Southwest: Waxwings migrate down from British Columbia and the Northwest into southwest states like California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico.
- Florida and Gulf Coast: Some flocks migrate all the way to the Gulf Coast, Florida and even into Central America.
So while some flocks only migrate short distances, others make lengthy trips all the way from Canada down to the southern U.S., Mexico and Central America. It depends entirely on the available food sources each winter.
Migration Flyways
There are a few major flyways, or migration routes, used by cedar waxwings as they migrate south:
- Atlantic Flyway – Along the U.S. East Coast and Appalachian Mountains
- Mississippi Flyway – Follows the Mississippi River through the Midwest
- Central Flyway – Through the Great Plains and Midwest to the Southwest
- Pacific Flyway – Along the West Coast and into the Southwest
Cedar waxwings funnel down these major flyways, stopping to rest and feed along the way. Coastal areas and river valleys provide plentiful fruit trees and bushes for feeding.
Atlantic Flyway
Waxwings breeding in northeastern Canada head south along the coast, mountains and river valleys towards the Southeast.
Mississippi Flyway
Midwestern waxwings follow the Mississippi River and other river systems through Illinois, Missouri and into the South.
Central Flyway
Waxwings from central Canada migrate south through the Great Plains, stopping in states like Colorado, New Mexico and Texas.
Pacific Flyway
Waxwings in western Canada and Alaska migrate down the West Coast into California, Arizona and even Mexico.
Do Young or Old Birds Migrate?
Both young waxwings and older adult waxwings migrate south in winter.
Here’s an overview:
- Young waxwings from that year’s brood migrate south with older adults in large mixed flocks.
- Older adult waxwings that have migrated before lead the way since they know the routes and best wintering sites.
- Once waxwings find a good winter home with a reliable food source, older birds may return to that same area each winter.
- Younger waxwings learn the migration routes and winter sites from older birds.
So cedar waxwing flocks in winter are a mix of ages, with adult birds leading the way south thanks to their years of experience. The younger birds follow and learn for future migrations.
What Triggers Their Migration?
A few key factors trigger cedar waxwings to begin migrating south in late summer or early fall:
- Declining food supplies – As northern fruit trees and bushes run low on berries, it’s time to migrate.
- Changing weather – Cooler temperatures and rain signal winter is approaching.
- Shorter days – Decreasing daylight hours contribute to hormones that boost migration.
- Genetics – Waxwings feel an innate urge to migrate south when conditions change.
Once food becomes scarce and days grow shorter, waxwings instinctively know it’s time to start migrating south for warmer weather and more plentiful food supplies.
How Long Does Their Migration Take?
Cedar waxwings begin migrating in late summer or early fall. They migrate in a hopscotch pattern, stopping frequently to rest and feed. This makes their migration fairly slow and prolonged.
It may take several weeks to a few months for flocks to make their way south to their winter sites. Speed and distance travelled depends on:
- Availability of food – Plentiful food sources allow for shorter travel days.
- Weather conditions – Poor weather makes migration harder.
- Distance travelled – How far south they need to travel to find food.
Flocks migrating long distances to Central America may slowly meander south from late August through December. Flocks only travelling to the southern U.S. may arrive by October or November.
Regardless of distance, cedar waxwings migrate in a gradual, leisurely manner, refueling for several days at a time before moving on. There’s no rush to reach their winter homes.
Do They Migrate During the Day or at Night?
Cedar waxwings primarily migrate during the day. Here are some key points:
- They migrate in short hops, travelling moderate distances between stopping to rest and feed.
- They need to spot fruit trees and bushes from the air, so migrating at night would be difficult.
- Their style of migration is slow and intermittent, not pushed through long overnight flights.
- They may sometimes make longer overnight migration flights across barriers like the Gulf of Mexico.
- But in most cases, waxwings migrate leisurely during daylight hours.
Migrating short distances by day allows waxwings to replenish energy at each stopover site. It fits with their pattern of irruptive, food-based migration.
Do Cedar Waxwings Migrate Alone or in Flocks?
Cedar waxwings are highly social and migrate in large flocks numbering in the hundreds or even thousands in some cases. Here’s why they migrate in groups:
- Safety in numbers from predators.
- Stay warm while roosting by huddling close together.
- Find food sources by scouting as a group.
- Share knowledge – older birds show younger ones the route.
- Help each other navigate by following most experienced leaders.
Migrating in huge flocks improves their chances of survival. It also passes on their migration traditions from one generation to the next.
You’ll almost never see a waxwing migrating on its own. They band together in mobbing flocks for safety, efficiency and shared knowledge.
What Do They Eat During Migration?
Cedar waxwings rely heavily on fruit to fuel their migration. They eat all kinds of berries and small fruits along their migration route, including:
- Cedar berries
- Serviceberries
- Hackberries
- Mistletoe berries
- Holly berries
- Dogwood berries
- Juniper berries
- Hawthorn and crabapple fruits
- Persimmons
- Sumac fruit
- Grapes
- Cherries
Fruit trees in backyards, parks, forest edges and agricultural areas provide critical fuel for migrating waxwings.
They supplement fruit with protein from insects like beetles, caterpillars, ants, flies and leafhoppers. But fruit makes up the majority of their migratory diet.
Where Do They Stopover During Migration?
Cedar waxwings stopover in locations that provide plenty of food during migration. Good stopover sites have:
- Fruit trees and berry bushes
- A source of fresh water for drinking and bathing
- Sheltered trees to rest in
Typical stopover spots include:
- Backyards
- Parks and gardens
- Forest edges
- Orchards
- Vineyards
- Riparian areas along rivers and lakes
- Woodland streams
- Wetlands
Waxwings replenish their energy reserves for several days before moving to the next stopover site. Good food and water sources help them rest and refuel.
Threats Along the Migration Route
Cedar waxwings face a number of threats and challenges during migration:
- Limited food supplies – Running low on fruit can cause starvation.
- Extreme weather – Storms or high winds make migration more difficult.
- Collisions – Window strikes or collisions with cars, towers and other structures.
- Predators – Hawks, falcons and other birds of prey hunt waxwings in flight.
- Disease – Salmonellosis outbreaks at crowded feeding sites.
- Habitat loss – Logging, development, etc. reducing stopover food and water.
Conserving stopover habitats and having backup food sources available helps reduce risks waxwings face during migration.
Cedar Waxwing Winter Range and Habitat
In their winter range across the southern U.S., Mexico and Central America, cedar waxwings seek out habitats that provide:
- Reliable food sources – Fruit trees and bushes with good winter berry crops.
- Open grassy areas – For hunting insects.
- Scrublands and open woodlands – Offer berries and insects.
- Streams, lakes and wetlands – For drinking and bathing water.
- Evergreen trees – For overnight roosting sites.
Some ideal winter habitats include:
- Orchards
- Backyards
- Parks and gardens
- Riparian areas
- Golf courses
- Vineyards and agricultural areas
- Open woodlands
- Roadsides with fruiting trees
Access to fruit crops and insects allows waxwings to settle in for the winter months.
Do Cedar Waxwings Return to the Same Winter Sites?
Cedar waxwings often return to the same wintering sites if those locations reliably provide food year after year.
- Adults remember quality wintering areas and habitats from previous years.
- If the food sources are consistent, they’ll come back to areas they know rather than looking for new sites.
- Banding studies show waxwings returning to the exact same winter territories annually.
- They remember where dependable fruit trees and bushes are located.
- fidelity to winter sites if food is stable.
This winter site fidelity minimizes their effort while maximizing chances of a good food supply.
Do Cedar Waxwings Migrate Back North?
Yes, cedar waxwings do migrate back north in spring once food supplies return there. Spring migration begins in March and April as days lengthen and temperatures warm.
- In early spring, food in the south starts becoming scarce as many trees and shrubs finish fruiting.
- Meanwhile farther north, new buds and fruits begin to appear. This signals it’s time to migrate.
- Waxwings once again follow major flyways back north through the U.S. and into Canada.
- Spring migration is faster than in fall, but still includes resting and feeding.
- Most waxwings return to breeding grounds by May or June.
The same flyways and stopover sites are utilized in both spring and fall migrations. Waxwings follow the food back north each spring.
Summary – The Migration of Cedar Waxwings
In summary, cedar waxwings are migratory songbirds that breed across northern North America each summer. When winter arrives, most flocks migrate south in search of food, though some may stay put if berry supplies are adequate.
Their southbound migration starts in late summer or fall. Flocks use major flyways and stopover sites with fruit trees to make the multi-week journey to their winter grounds. There they settle into areas with reliable food and water.
When spring returns, waxwings migrate back north to their breeding territories. Their migratory habits follow the seasonal availably of fruit and insect food. This irruptive migration allows waxwings to survive the lean winter months and continue thriving as a species.