Dark-eyed Junco in December
Where juncos are in December, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
December in the Dark-eyed Junco'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 Dark-eyed Junco specifically, December is a winter month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 62 states and provinces where juncos occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where juncos are in December
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In December, juncos 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
Juncos are not nesting in December. The season runs May–July at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, juncos 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
- Grass and weed seeds
Juncos are 'snowbirds' — they feed on the ground beneath feeders and are a sure sign winter has arrived in the south.
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 Dark-eyed Junco diet guide → · Best feeder for juncos →
Watching juncos this month
Juncos 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 juncos are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Dark-eyed Junco month by month
Dark-eyed Junco by state
Frequently asked
Where are juncos in December?
In December, juncos are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do juncos nest in December?
No — juncos typically nest May through July at mid-latitudes.
What do juncos eat in December?
Grass and weed seeds.
Sources
- Dark-eyed Junco — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Dark-eyed Junco life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Dark-eyed Junco — 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.