Field Sparrow in December
Where field sparrows are in December, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
December in the Field 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 Field Sparrow specifically, December is a winter month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 37 states and provinces where field sparrows occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where field sparrows are in December
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In December, field 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
Field sparrows are not nesting in December. The season runs April–July at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, field sparrows 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
- Grass and ragweed seeds
A bird of overgrown fields and hedgerows; ground feeding near a brushy field edge brings it in.
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 Field Sparrow diet guide → · Best feeder for field sparrows →
Watching field sparrows this month
Field 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.
The state guides below show exactly where in your region field sparrows are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Field Sparrow month by month
Field Sparrow by state
Frequently asked
Where are field sparrows in December?
In December, field sparrows are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do field sparrows nest in December?
No — field sparrows typically nest April through July at mid-latitudes.
What do field sparrows eat in December?
Grass and ragweed seeds.
Sources
- Field Sparrow — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Field Sparrow life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Field Sparrow — 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.