Cedar Waxwing in December
Where cedar waxwings are in December, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
December in the Cedar Waxwing's year
December is the start of the true winter season. Birds are settled into winter ranges and flocking behavior peaks — mixed flocks move through woods and yards together, and feeding stations become social hubs. Short days mean birds must find most of their food in a few hours of daylight.
For the Cedar Waxwing specifically, December is a winter month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 61 states and provinces where cedar waxwings occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where cedar waxwings are in December
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In December, cedar waxwings are absent in the South, year-round resident across the mid-latitudes, and absent in the northern states and Canada. That north–south split is the defining feature of this month: where you live changes which version of this bird you're looking at.
Nesting in December
Cedar waxwings are not nesting in December. The season runs June–August at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, cedar waxwings put their energy into feeding and flocking rather than territory and young — which is exactly what makes them easier to watch and attract this month.
What to feed in December
- Juniper, holly and crabapple
Waxwings wander in flocks after fruit crops and rarely use feeders — fruiting natives and water are the draw.
Feeders are busiest at dawn and dusk as birds fuel up against long cold nights. Suet and other high-fat foods earn their keep this month.
Full Cedar Waxwing diet guide → · Best feeder for cedar waxwings →
Watching cedar waxwings this month
Cedar waxwings are settled and predictable in December, which makes this a good month to learn the bird's routine — same feeders, same perches, same times of day.
The state guides below show exactly where in your region cedar waxwings are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Cedar Waxwing month by month
Cedar Waxwing by state
Frequently asked
Where are cedar waxwings in December?
In December, cedar waxwings are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do cedar waxwings nest in December?
No — cedar waxwings typically nest June through August at mid-latitudes.
What do cedar waxwings eat in December?
Juniper, holly and crabapple.
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
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.