Green-tailed Towhee in December
Where green-tailed towhees are in December, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
December in the Green-tailed 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 Green-tailed Towhee specifically, December is a winter month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 12 states and provinces where green-tailed towhees occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where green-tailed towhees are in December
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- winter visitor
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In December, green-tailed towhees 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
Green-tailed towhees are not nesting in December. The season runs May–July at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, green-tailed 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
- Grass and forb seeds
Scratches under mountain shrubbery and visits ground feeding areas near dense cover, especially on migration.
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 Green-tailed Towhee diet guide → · Best feeder for green-tailed towhees →
Watching green-tailed towhees this month
Green-tailed 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 green-tailed towhees are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Green-tailed Towhee month by month
Green-tailed Towhee by state
Frequently asked
Where are green-tailed towhees in December?
In December, green-tailed towhees are absent in the South, winter visitor across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do green-tailed towhees nest in December?
No — green-tailed towhees typically nest May through July at mid-latitudes.
What do green-tailed towhees eat in December?
Grass and forb seeds.
Sources
- Green-tailed Towhee — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Green-tailed Towhee life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Green-tailed 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.