Blue Grosbeak in December
Where blue grosbeaks are in December, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
December in the Blue Grosbeak'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 Blue Grosbeak specifically, December is a winter month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 31 states and provinces where blue grosbeaks occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where blue grosbeaks are in December
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- mostly absent (migration only)
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In December, blue grosbeaks 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
Blue grosbeaks are not nesting in December. The season runs May–August at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, blue grosbeaks 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 Mexico and Central America
Takes seed at low platforms and ground feeders near hedgerows; twitches its tail sideways as it perches.
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 Blue Grosbeak diet guide → · Best feeder for blue grosbeaks →
Watching blue grosbeaks this month
Blue grosbeaks 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 blue grosbeaks are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Blue Grosbeak month by month
Blue Grosbeak by state
Frequently asked
Where are blue grosbeaks in December?
In December, blue grosbeaks are absent in the South, mostly absent (migration only) across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do blue grosbeaks nest in December?
No — blue grosbeaks typically nest May through August at mid-latitudes.
What do blue grosbeaks eat in December?
Migrates to Mexico and Central America.
Sources
- Blue Grosbeak — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Blue Grosbeak life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Blue Grosbeak — 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.