Eastern Whip-poor-will in December
Where whip-poor-wills are in December, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
December in the Eastern Whip-poor-will'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 Whip-poor-will 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 whip-poor-wills occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where whip-poor-wills are in December
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- winter visitor
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In December, whip-poor-wills are absent in the South, winter visitor 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
Whip-poor-wills are not nesting in December. The season runs May–July at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, whip-poor-wills 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
- Migrates to Mexico and Central America
Heard rather than seen; times its nesting to the moon so bright nights coincide with feeding young.
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 Whip-poor-will diet guide → · Best feeder for whip-poor-wills →
Watching whip-poor-wills this month
Whip-poor-wills 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 whip-poor-wills are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Eastern Whip-poor-will month by month
Eastern Whip-poor-will by state
Frequently asked
Where are whip-poor-wills in December?
In December, whip-poor-wills are absent in the South, winter visitor across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do whip-poor-wills nest in December?
No — whip-poor-wills typically nest May through July at mid-latitudes.
What do whip-poor-wills eat in December?
Migrates to Mexico and Central America.
Sources
- Eastern Whip-poor-will — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Eastern Whip-poor-will life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Eastern Whip-poor-will — 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.