Cedar Waxwings in North Carolina
When cedar waxwings are present in North Carolina, when they nest, which native North Carolina plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 5b–8b yard.
- Status in North Carolina
- Year-round resident
- Nesting window
- June–August
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5b–8b
When to expect cedar waxwings in North Carolina
Cedar Waxwings live in North Carolina all year. Black-capped Chickadees and other northern birds are confined to the highest mountains; lowlands stay mild. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them: their winter diet shifts toward juniper, holly and crabapple.
Mountains, Piedmont and coastal plain differ sharply — cool, snowy highlands to mild, humid coast.
Nesting in North Carolina
Across North Carolina, 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.
Warm and humid in the Piedmont and coast; cooler at elevation.
- Cedar Waxwings don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as flowering dogwood, winterberry, serviceberry for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after August.
Native North Carolina plants that attract cedar waxwings
Of the regional native plants we track for North Carolina, these 8 provide food or cover cedar waxwings use:
The state flower and a top fall fruit source.
Red fruit held into winter.
June fruit.
Winter food and cover.
Long nectar season.
Fruit clusters persist all winter as emergency food.
Red fruit heads hang on through winter.
Summer fruit and one of the top caterpillar host trees.
Feeding cedar waxwings through the North Carolina 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 North Carolina's winter: Black-capped Chickadees and other northern birds are confined to the highest mountains; lowlands stay mild.
Full diet breakdown for cedar waxwings · Best feeder for cedar waxwings
Frequently asked
Are cedar waxwings in North Carolina year-round?
Yes. Cedar Waxwings are year-round residents in North Carolina.
When do cedar waxwings nest in North Carolina?
Nesting in North Carolina 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 North Carolina?
Flowering dogwood, Winterberry, Serviceberry, Eastern red cedar, Coral honeysuckle, Staghorn sumac, Smooth sumac, Black cherry are native plants in North Carolina that provide food or cover for cedar waxwings.
Cedar Waxwings in other regions
Other backyard birds in North Carolina
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 — North Carolina
- 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.