Cedar Waxwing in January
Where cedar waxwings are in January, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
January in the Cedar Waxwing's year
January is the coldest month across most of the US and Canada. Natural food is at its scarcest — insects are dormant, many seed heads are stripped, and snow cover hides what remains. Birds concentrate where food is reliable, which makes this the single best month to watch a well-stocked feeding station.
For the Cedar Waxwing specifically, January 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 January
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In January, 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 January
Cedar waxwings are not nesting in January. 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 January
- Juniper, holly and crabapple
Waxwings wander in flocks after fruit crops and rarely use feeders — fruiting natives and water are the draw.
Keep feeders consistently filled; birds add dependable stations to their daily foraging routes and suffer when one suddenly runs empty during a cold snap. High-energy foods matter most now.
Full Cedar Waxwing diet guide → · Best feeder for cedar waxwings →
Watching cedar waxwings this month
Cedar waxwings are settled and predictable in January, 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 January?
In January, cedar waxwings are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do cedar waxwings nest in January?
No — cedar waxwings typically nest June through August at mid-latitudes.
What do cedar waxwings eat in January?
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.