Nebraska · Year-round resident

Cedar Waxwings in Nebraska

When cedar waxwings are present in Nebraska, when they nest, which native Nebraska plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 4b–5b yard.

Waxwings (Bombycillidae)Cedar WaxwingBombycilla cedrorum

Status in Nebraska: Year-round resident
Nesting window: June–August
Broods: 1–2 per season
Hardiness zones: USDA 4b–5b

When to expect cedar waxwings in Nebraska

Cedar Waxwings live in Nebraska all year. Cold, windy winters; the Platte River corridor holds most wintering birds. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them: their winter diet shifts toward juniper, holly and crabapple.

Continental, from tallgrass prairie in the east to the Sandhills and shortgrass in the west.

Nesting in Nebraska

Across Nebraska, cedar waxwings typically nest from June–August. Nest site: loose cup in tree forks, often late June. Females lay 2–6 eggs, incubate for 11–13 days, and young leave the nest after 14–18 days.

Hot summers with thunderstorms.

Cedar Waxwings don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as flowering dogwood, eastern red cedar, serviceberry for nest sites.
Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after August.

Native Nebraska plants that attract cedar waxwings

Of the regional native plants we track for Nebraska, these 8 provide food or cover cedar waxwings use:

Flowering dogwood

Cornus florida · Tree

Fat-rich red fall fruit taken by thrushes, bluebirds and woodpeckers.

Eastern red cedar

Juniperus virginiana · Tree

Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter.

Serviceberry

Amelanchier arborea · Tree

Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.

Smooth sumac

Rhus glabra · Shrub

Red fruit heads hang on through winter.

Black cherry

Prunus serotina · Tree

Summer fruit and one of the top caterpillar host trees.

American elderberry

Sambucus canadensis · Shrub

Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.

Virginia creeper

Parthenocissus quinquefolia · Vine

Blue fruit on red stems in early fall.

Trumpet honeysuckle

Lonicera sempervirens · Vine

Native red tubular flowers timed to hummingbird arrival.

Feeding cedar waxwings through the Nebraska 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 Nebraska's winter: Cold, windy winters; the Platte River corridor holds most wintering birds.

Full diet breakdown for cedar waxwings · Best feeder for cedar waxwings

Frequently asked

Are cedar waxwings in Nebraska year-round?

Yes. Cedar Waxwings are year-round residents in Nebraska.

When do cedar waxwings nest in Nebraska?

Nesting in Nebraska typically runs June–August, with 1–2 per season. Clutches are 2–6 eggs, incubated for 11–13 days.

What native plants attract cedar waxwings in Nebraska?

Flowering dogwood, Eastern red cedar, Serviceberry, Smooth sumac, Black cherry, American elderberry, Virginia creeper, Trumpet honeysuckle are native plants in Nebraska that provide food or cover for cedar waxwings.

Other backyard birds in Nebraska

Northern Cardinal Eastern Bluebird Black-capped Chickadee Purple Martin Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker American Goldfinch Tufted Titmouse White-breasted Nuthatch House Wren Blue Jay House Finch Purple Finch Ruby-throated Hummingbird Carolina Wren Mourning Dove American Robin Dark-eyed Junco White-throated Sparrow Song Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Red-bellied Woodpecker Northern Flicker Red-headed Woodpecker Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper Common Grackle Red-winged Blackbird Baltimore Oriole Orchard Oriole Rose-breasted Grosbeak Evening Grosbeak Pine Siskin Indigo Bunting Gray Catbird Northern Mockingbird Brown Thrasher Tree Swallow Barn Swallow Eastern Phoebe Chimney Swift Eastern Screech-Owl Great Crested Flycatcher Eastern Kingbird American Tree Sparrow House Sparrow European Starling Black-billed Magpie Pygmy Nuthatch Spotted Towhee Mountain Bluebird Say's Phoebe White-crowned Sparrow Black-headed Grosbeak Lazuli Bunting Bullock's Oriole Eurasian Collared-Dove

Sources

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.