The Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) is the most reliable source of data for the Cedar Waxwing and, in general, indicates a moderate increase in the population since 1970 in both Canada and across the continent. However, the BBS annual indices show a population with substantial annual fluctuations, likely due to a combination of the species' flocking behaviour, lack of territoriality, and late breeding season (Witmer et al. 1997). These factors may result in variable counts across years with differing phenology (i.e., early or late start of nesting due to weather). BBS annual indices indicate that the population increase has followed a non-linear pattern, increasing steadily until the mid-1990s when, despite continuing large fluctuations, the trend levelled off. The most recent period (2006-2016) shows little overall change in the population. At the regional level, results vary from declines of more than 45% in the Northern Pacific Rainforest and Great Basin Bird Conservation Regions (BCRs), to large increases in the Atlantic Northern Forest and Boreal Taiga Plains BCRs, and smaller increases in the Prairie Potholes and Lower Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Plain BCRs. The Cedar Waxwing population is at an acceptable level relative to its national population goal (see Canada graph below).
Additional information on: Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis
