Broad-tailed Hummingbird in December
Where broad-tailed hummingbirds are in December, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
December in the Broad-tailed Hummingbird'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 Broad-tailed Hummingbird 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 broad-tailed hummingbirds occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where broad-tailed hummingbirds are in December
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- mostly absent (migration only)
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In December, broad-tailed hummingbirds 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
Broad-tailed hummingbirds are not nesting in December. The season runs June–July at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, broad-tailed hummingbirds 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
- Winters in Mexico
Breeds at 6,000–10,000 ft; can drop body temperature overnight to survive frosty mountain nights.
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 Broad-tailed Hummingbird diet guide → · Best feeder for broad-tailed hummingbirds →
Watching broad-tailed hummingbirds this month
Broad-tailed hummingbirds 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 broad-tailed hummingbirds are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Broad-tailed Hummingbird month by month
Broad-tailed Hummingbird by state
Frequently asked
Where are broad-tailed hummingbirds in December?
In December, broad-tailed hummingbirds are absent in the South, mostly absent (migration only) across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do broad-tailed hummingbirds nest in December?
No — broad-tailed hummingbirds typically nest June through July at mid-latitudes.
What do broad-tailed hummingbirds eat in December?
Winters in Mexico.
Sources
- Broad-tailed Hummingbird — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Broad-tailed Hummingbird life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Broad-tailed Hummingbird — 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.