Eastern Bluebird in December
Where bluebirds are in December, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
December in the Eastern Bluebird'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 Eastern Bluebird specifically, December is a winter month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 44 states and provinces where bluebirds occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where bluebirds are in December
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In December, bluebirds 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
Bluebirds are not nesting in December. The season runs April–August 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
- Dogwood, sumac, holly, juniper and hackberry fruit
- Mealworms offered at feeders
Bluebirds hunt from perches over short grass. Put mealworm feeders in the open, near a low perch, and offer small amounts at the same time each day.
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 Eastern Bluebird diet guide → · Best feeder for bluebirds →
Watching bluebirds this month
Bluebirds 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 Eastern Bluebird 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.
Eastern Bluebird month by month
Eastern Bluebird by state
Frequently asked
Where are bluebirds in December?
In December, bluebirds are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do bluebirds nest in December?
No — bluebirds typically nest April through August at mid-latitudes.
What do bluebirds eat in December?
Dogwood, sumac, holly, juniper and hackberry fruit; Mealworms offered at feeders.
Sources
- Eastern Bluebird — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Eastern Bluebird life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Eastern Bluebird — 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.