Great Horned Owl in December
Where great horned owls are in December, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
December in the Great Horned Owl'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 Great Horned Owl specifically, December is a winter month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 61 states and provinces where great horned owls occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where great horned owls are in December
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In December, great horned owls 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
Great horned owls are not nesting in December. The season runs January–April at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, great horned owls 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
- Rabbits, squirrels, skunks and other raptors
Nests in midwinter; listen for duetting pairs in December and January, even in suburbs.
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 Great Horned Owl diet guide → · Best feeder for great horned owls →
Watching great horned owls this month
Great horned owls 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 great horned owls are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Great Horned Owl month by month
Great Horned Owl by state
Frequently asked
Where are great horned owls in December?
In December, great horned owls are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do great horned owls nest in December?
No — great horned owls typically nest January through April at mid-latitudes.
What do great horned owls eat in December?
Rabbits, squirrels, skunks and other raptors.
Sources
- Great Horned Owl — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Great Horned Owl life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Great Horned Owl — 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.