Black-crowned Night Heron in December
Where black-crowned night herons are in December, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
December in the Black-crowned Night Heron'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 Black-crowned Night Heron specifically, December is a winter month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 53 states and provinces where black-crowned night herons occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where black-crowned night herons are in December
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In December, black-crowned night herons 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
Black-crowned night herons are not nesting in December. The season runs March–July at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, black-crowned night herons 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
- Fish in ice-free water
Roosts in dense trees by day and raids ponds at night; often overlooked in city parks.
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 Black-crowned Night Heron diet guide → · Best feeder for black-crowned night herons →
Watching black-crowned night herons this month
Black-crowned night herons 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 black-crowned night herons are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Black-crowned Night Heron month by month
Black-crowned Night Heron by state
Frequently asked
Where are black-crowned night herons in December?
In December, black-crowned night herons are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do black-crowned night herons nest in December?
No — black-crowned night herons typically nest March through July at mid-latitudes.
What do black-crowned night herons eat in December?
Fish in ice-free water.
Sources
- Black-crowned Night Heron — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Black-crowned Night Heron life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Black-crowned Night Heron — 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.