Hermit Thrush in December
Where hermit thrushes are in December, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
December in the Hermit Thrush'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 Hermit Thrush specifically, December is a winter month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 52 states and provinces where hermit thrushes occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where hermit thrushes are in December
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In December, hermit thrushes 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
Hermit thrushes are not nesting in December. The season runs May–July at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, hermit thrushes 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
- Dogwood, sumac and poison-ivy fruit
The winter thrush of southern woodlands — visits ground feeding areas and berry-bearing shrubs near cover.
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 Hermit Thrush diet guide → · Best feeder for hermit thrushes →
Watching hermit thrushes this month
Hermit thrushes 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 hermit thrushes are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Hermit Thrush month by month
Hermit Thrush by state
Frequently asked
Where are hermit thrushes in December?
In December, hermit thrushes are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do hermit thrushes nest in December?
No — hermit thrushes typically nest May through July at mid-latitudes.
What do hermit thrushes eat in December?
Dogwood, sumac and poison-ivy fruit.
Sources
- Hermit Thrush — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Hermit Thrush life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Hermit Thrush — 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.