American Three-toed Woodpecker in December
Where American three-toed woodpeckers are in December, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
December in the American Three-toed Woodpecker'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 American Three-toed Woodpecker specifically, December is a winter month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 19 states and provinces where American three-toed woodpeckers occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where American three-toed woodpeckers are in December
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In December, American three-toed woodpeckers 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
American three-toed woodpeckers are not nesting in December. The season runs May–July at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, American three-toed woodpeckers 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
- Bark beetle larvae
Strips bark from spruces in slow, quiet patches; often in beetle-killed or burned stands.
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 American Three-toed Woodpecker diet guide → · Best feeder for American three-toed woodpeckers →
Watching American three-toed woodpeckers this month
American three-toed woodpeckers 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 American three-toed woodpeckers are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
American Three-toed Woodpecker month by month
American Three-toed Woodpecker by state
Frequently asked
Where are American three-toed woodpeckers in December?
In December, American three-toed woodpeckers are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do American three-toed woodpeckers nest in December?
No — American three-toed woodpeckers typically nest May through July at mid-latitudes.
What do American three-toed woodpeckers eat in December?
Bark beetle larvae.
Sources
- American Three-toed Woodpecker — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- American Three-toed Woodpecker life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- American Three-toed Woodpecker — 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.