Horned Lark in December
Where horned larks are in December, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
December in the Horned Lark'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 Horned Lark specifically, December is a winter month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 62 states and provinces where horned larks occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where horned larks are in December
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In December, horned larks 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
Horned larks are not nesting in December. The season runs February–July at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, horned larks 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
- Waste grain and weed seeds
The bird of bare fields, airports and roadsides; one of the earliest nesters, sometimes in February.
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 Horned Lark diet guide → · Best feeder for horned larks →
Watching horned larks this month
Horned larks 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 horned larks are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Horned Lark month by month
Horned Lark by state
Frequently asked
Where are horned larks in December?
In December, horned larks are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do horned larks nest in December?
No — horned larks typically nest February through July at mid-latitudes.
What do horned larks eat in December?
Waste grain and weed seeds.
Sources
- Horned Lark — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Horned Lark life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Horned Lark — 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.