Bushtit in December
Where bushtits are in December, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
December in the Bushtit'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 Bushtit specifically, December is a winter month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 13 states and provinces where bushtits occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where bushtits are in December
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In December, bushtits 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
Bushtits are not nesting in December. The season runs March–June at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, bushtits 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
- Insect eggs; some suet
Flocks of 10–40 sweep through yards and mob suet feeders for a few minutes before moving on.
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.
Watching bushtits this month
Bushtits 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 bushtits are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Bushtit month by month
Bushtit by state
Frequently asked
Where are bushtits in December?
In December, bushtits are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do bushtits nest in December?
No — bushtits typically nest March through June at mid-latitudes.
What do bushtits eat in December?
Insect eggs; some suet.
Sources
- Bushtit — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Bushtit life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Bushtit — 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.