Downy Woodpecker in December
Where downy woodpeckers are in December, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
December in the Downy Woodpecker'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 Downy Woodpecker specifically, December is a winter month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 60 states and provinces where downy woodpeckers occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where downy woodpeckers are in December
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In December, downy woodpeckers 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
Downy woodpeckers are not nesting in December. The season runs April–June at mid-latitudes.
That makes December a useful month for nest-box work: cleaning out old nesting material, checking mounts and predator guards, and making repairs while boxes are empty. A box that's ready early gets claimed early.
What to feed in December
- Insect larvae in goldenrod galls and bark
- Suet, peanuts and sunflower at feeders
The smallest North American woodpecker and the most frequent at feeders. A tail-prop suet feeder gives them a natural feeding posture.
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 Downy Woodpecker diet guide → · Best feeder for downy woodpeckers →
Watching downy woodpeckers this month
Downy woodpeckers 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.
If you have a Downy Woodpecker box up, this is the month to make sure it's clean, secure and ready — the box guide below has the exact hole size and mounting height this species needs.
Downy Woodpecker month by month
Downy Woodpecker by state
Frequently asked
Where are downy woodpeckers in December?
In December, downy woodpeckers are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do downy woodpeckers nest in December?
No — downy woodpeckers typically nest April through June at mid-latitudes.
What do downy woodpeckers eat in December?
Insect larvae in goldenrod galls and bark; Suet, peanuts and sunflower at feeders.
Sources
- Downy Woodpecker — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Downy Woodpecker life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Downy Woodpecker — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- NestWatch nest box plans and species requirements — Cornell Lab
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.