Killdeer in December
Where killdeer are in December, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
December in the Killdeer'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 Killdeer 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 killdeer occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where killdeer are in December
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In December, killdeer 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
Killdeer are not nesting in December. The season runs March–July at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, killdeer 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
- Invertebrates on mudflats and lawns
Nests on gravel driveways and rooftops and performs a broken-wing act to lure you from the nest.
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.
Watching killdeer this month
Killdeer 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 killdeer are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Killdeer month by month
Killdeer by state
Frequently asked
Where are killdeer in December?
In December, killdeer are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do killdeer nest in December?
No — killdeer typically nest March through July at mid-latitudes.
What do killdeer eat in December?
Invertebrates on mudflats and lawns.
Sources
- Killdeer — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Killdeer life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Killdeer — 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.