Eurasian Tree Sparrow in December
Where Eurasian tree sparrows are in December, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
December in the Eurasian Tree Sparrow'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 Eurasian Tree Sparrow specifically, December is a winter month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 3 states and provinces where Eurasian tree sparrows occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where Eurasian tree sparrows are in December
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In December, Eurasian tree sparrows 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
Eurasian tree sparrows 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
- Grain, weed seeds and feeder mix
Introduced to St. Louis in 1870 and still confined to a small Midwest range — a genuine local specialty.
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 Eurasian Tree Sparrow diet guide → · Best feeder for Eurasian tree sparrows →
Watching Eurasian tree sparrows this month
Eurasian tree sparrows 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 Eurasian Tree Sparrow 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.
Eurasian Tree Sparrow month by month
Eurasian Tree Sparrow by state
Frequently asked
Where are Eurasian tree sparrows in December?
In December, Eurasian tree sparrows are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do Eurasian tree sparrows nest in December?
No — Eurasian tree sparrows typically nest April through August at mid-latitudes.
What do Eurasian tree sparrows eat in December?
Grain, weed seeds and feeder mix.
Sources
- Eurasian Tree Sparrow — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Eurasian Tree Sparrow life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Eurasian Tree Sparrow — 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.