Bank Swallow in December
Where bank swallows are in December, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
December in the Bank Swallow'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 Bank Swallow 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 bank swallows occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where bank swallows are in December
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- mostly absent (migration only)
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In December, bank swallows are absent in the South, mostly absent (migration only) 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
Bank swallows are not nesting in December. The season runs May–July at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, bank swallows 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
- Migrates to South America
Digs nest burrows in vertical sand banks in big colonies; needs eroding riverbanks or sand pits.
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 Bank Swallow diet guide → · Best feeder for bank swallows →
Watching bank swallows this month
Bank swallows 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 bank swallows are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Bank Swallow month by month
Bank Swallow by state
Frequently asked
Where are bank swallows in December?
In December, bank swallows are absent in the South, mostly absent (migration only) across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do bank swallows nest in December?
No — bank swallows typically nest May through July at mid-latitudes.
What do bank swallows eat in December?
Migrates to South America.
Sources
- Bank Swallow — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Bank Swallow life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Bank Swallow — 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.