Burrowing Owl in December
Where burrowing owls are in December, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
December in the Burrowing 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 Burrowing Owl specifically, December is a winter month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 20 states and provinces where burrowing owls occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where burrowing owls are in December
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In December, burrowing 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
Burrowing owls are not nesting in December. The season runs March–July at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, burrowing owls 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
- Rodents and insects
Lives in prairie-dog and ground-squirrel burrows; artificial burrows are used where habitat is scarce.
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 Burrowing Owl diet guide → · Best feeder for burrowing owls →
Watching burrowing owls this month
Burrowing 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.
The state guides below show exactly where in your region burrowing owls are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Burrowing Owl month by month
Burrowing Owl by state
Frequently asked
Where are burrowing owls in December?
In December, burrowing owls are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do burrowing owls nest in December?
No — burrowing owls typically nest March through July at mid-latitudes.
What do burrowing owls eat in December?
Rodents and insects.
Sources
- Burrowing Owl — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Burrowing Owl life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Burrowing Owl — 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.