Cedar Waxwings in Louisiana
When cedar waxwings are present in Louisiana, when they nest, which native Louisiana plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 8a–10a yard.
- Status in Louisiana
- Winter visitor
- Nesting window
- Does not typically nest here
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 8a–10a
When to expect cedar waxwings in Louisiana
In Louisiana, cedar waxwings are winter visitors rather than breeders. Mild winters make Louisiana a major wintering ground for sparrows, wrens, and even western hummingbirds. While here they rely on juniper, holly and crabapple.
Humid subtropical, with coastal marsh, bottomland hardwood forest and piney uplands in the north.
Native Louisiana plants that attract cedar waxwings
Of the regional native plants we track for Louisiana, these 8 provide food or cover cedar waxwings use:
Fat-rich red fall fruit taken by thrushes, bluebirds and woodpeckers.
Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter.
Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.
Deciduous holly holding red fruit into mid-winter.
Red fruit heads hang on through winter.
Summer fruit and one of the top caterpillar host trees.
Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.
Blue-black fall fruit and dense nesting cover.
Feeding cedar waxwings through the Louisiana year
Waxwings wander in flocks after fruit crops and rarely use feeders — fruiting natives and water are the draw.
- Best foods: Fresh or frozen berries.
- In Louisiana's winter: Mild winters make Louisiana a major wintering ground for sparrows, wrens, and even western hummingbirds.
Full diet breakdown for cedar waxwings · Best feeder for cedar waxwings
Frequently asked
Are cedar waxwings in Louisiana year-round?
No. Cedar Waxwings are winter visitors in Louisiana and do not typically nest there.
What native plants attract cedar waxwings in Louisiana?
Flowering dogwood, Eastern red cedar, Serviceberry, Winterberry, Smooth sumac, Black cherry, American elderberry, Arrowwood viburnum are native plants in Louisiana that provide food or cover for cedar waxwings.
Cedar Waxwings in other regions
Other backyard birds in Louisiana
Sources
- Cedar Waxwing — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Cedar Waxwing life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Cedar Waxwing — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Louisiana
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- Audubon Native Plants Database
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.