Barred Owl in December
Where barred owls are in December, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
December in the Barred Owl'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 Barred Owl specifically, December is a winter month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 45 states and provinces where barred owls occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where barred owls are in December
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In December, barred owls 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
Barred owls are not nesting in December. The season runs January–May at mid-latitudes.
That makes December a useful month for nest-box work: cleaning out old nesting material, checking mounts and predator guards, and making repairs while boxes are empty. A box that's ready early gets claimed early.
What to feed in December
- Mice, voles and roosting small birds
A woodland owl that hunts suburban yards with mature trees; often heard — and sometimes seen — at dusk.
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 Barred Owl diet guide → · Best feeder for barred owls →
Watching barred owls this month
Barred owls 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.
If you have a Barred Owl box up, this is the month to make sure it's clean, secure and ready — the box guide below has the exact hole size and mounting height this species needs.
Barred Owl month by month
Barred Owl by state
Frequently asked
Where are barred owls in December?
In December, barred owls are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do barred owls nest in December?
No — barred owls typically nest January through May at mid-latitudes.
What do barred owls eat in December?
Mice, voles and roosting small birds.
Sources
- Barred Owl — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Barred Owl life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Barred Owl — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- NestWatch nest box plans and species requirements — Cornell Lab
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.