Eastern Towhee in December
Where eastern towhees are in December, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
December in the Eastern Towhee'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 Towhee specifically, December is a winter month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 34 states and provinces where eastern towhees occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where eastern towhees are in December
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In December, eastern towhees 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
Eastern towhees are not nesting in December. The season runs May–July at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, eastern towhees 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
- Ragweed seed, acorns and berries
Towhees 'double-scratch' in leaf litter. Leave leaves under shrubs rather than raking them.
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 Towhee diet guide → · Best feeder for eastern towhees →
Watching eastern towhees this month
Eastern towhees 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 eastern towhees are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Eastern Towhee month by month
Eastern Towhee by state
Frequently asked
Where are eastern towhees in December?
In December, eastern towhees are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do eastern towhees nest in December?
No — eastern towhees typically nest May through July at mid-latitudes.
What do eastern towhees eat in December?
Ragweed seed, acorns and berries.
Sources
- Eastern Towhee — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Eastern Towhee life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Eastern Towhee — 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.