Boat-tailed Grackle in December
Where boat-tailed grackles are in December, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
December in the Boat-tailed Grackle'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 Boat-tailed Grackle specifically, December is a winter month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 8 states and provinces where boat-tailed grackles occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where boat-tailed grackles are in December
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In December, boat-tailed grackles 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
Boat-tailed grackles are not nesting in December. The season runs March–July at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, boat-tailed grackles 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
- Grain, scraps and seeds
A loud coastal grackle of marinas, marshes and parking lots from Texas to the Carolinas.
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 Boat-tailed Grackle diet guide → · Best feeder for boat-tailed grackles →
Watching boat-tailed grackles this month
Boat-tailed grackles 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 boat-tailed grackles are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Boat-tailed Grackle month by month
Boat-tailed Grackle by state
Frequently asked
Where are boat-tailed grackles in December?
In December, boat-tailed grackles are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do boat-tailed grackles nest in December?
No — boat-tailed grackles typically nest March through July at mid-latitudes.
What do boat-tailed grackles eat in December?
Grain, scraps and seeds.
Sources
- Boat-tailed Grackle — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Boat-tailed Grackle life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Boat-tailed Grackle — 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.