Oklahoma · Winter visitor

Cedar Waxwings in Oklahoma

When cedar waxwings are present in Oklahoma, when they nest, which native Oklahoma plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 6a–8a yard.

Waxwings (Bombycillidae)Cedar WaxwingBombycilla cedrorum

Status in Oklahoma: Winter visitor
Nesting window: Does not typically nest here
Hardiness zones: USDA 6a–8a

When to expect cedar waxwings in Oklahoma

In Oklahoma, cedar waxwings are winter visitors rather than breeders. Mild winters with occasional severe ice storms. While here they rely on juniper, holly and crabapple.

Humid in the forested east, semi-arid in the western plains and Panhandle.

Native Oklahoma plants that attract cedar waxwings

Of the regional native plants we track for Oklahoma, 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.

Spicebush

Lindera benzoin · Shrub

Lipid-rich red fruit fuels fall migrants.

Virginia creeper

Parthenocissus quinquefolia · Vine

Blue fruit on red stems in early fall.

Feeding cedar waxwings through the Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma's winter: Mild winters with occasional severe ice storms.

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

Frequently asked

Are cedar waxwings in Oklahoma year-round?

No. Cedar Waxwings are winter visitors in Oklahoma and do not typically nest there.

What native plants attract cedar waxwings in Oklahoma?

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

Other backyard birds in Oklahoma

Northern Cardinal Eastern Bluebird Carolina 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 Pileated Woodpecker Red-headed Woodpecker Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown-headed Nuthatch Brown Creeper Common Grackle Red-winged Blackbird Baltimore Oriole Orchard Oriole Pine Siskin Indigo Bunting Painted Bunting Eastern Towhee Gray Catbird Northern Mockingbird Brown Thrasher Tree Swallow Barn Swallow Eastern Phoebe Chimney Swift Yellow-rumped Warbler Pine Warbler Eastern Screech-Owl Wood Thrush Great Crested Flycatcher Eastern Kingbird American Tree Sparrow House Sparrow European Starling Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay Bushtit Juniper Titmouse Black-crested Titmouse Black-chinned Hummingbird Lesser Goldfinch Spotted Towhee Canyon Towhee Mountain Bluebird Say's Phoebe Ladder-backed Woodpecker Curve-billed Thrasher Bewick's Wren White-crowned Sparrow Fox Sparrow 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.