Bald Eagle in December
Where bald eagles are in December, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
December in the Bald Eagle'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 Bald Eagle 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 bald eagles occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where bald eagles are in December
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In December, bald eagles 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
Bald eagles are not nesting in December. The season runs January–June at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, bald eagles 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
- Waterfowl, carrion and fish below dams
Now a regular sight over reservoirs and rivers nationwide after its recovery from DDT.
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 Bald Eagle diet guide → · Best feeder for bald eagles →
Watching bald eagles this month
Bald eagles 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 bald eagles are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Bald Eagle month by month
Bald Eagle by state
Frequently asked
Where are bald eagles in December?
In December, bald eagles are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do bald eagles nest in December?
No — bald eagles typically nest January through June at mid-latitudes.
What do bald eagles eat in December?
Waterfowl, carrion and fish below dams.
Sources
- Bald Eagle — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Bald Eagle life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Bald Eagle — 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.