Merlin in December
Where merlins are in December, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
December in the Merlin'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 Merlin 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 merlins occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where merlins are in December
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In December, merlins 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
Merlins are not nesting in December. The season runs May–July at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, merlins 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
- Small birds at feeders and on shorelines
Increasingly a city nester, using old crow nests in conifers; hunts feeder flocks at speed.
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 merlins this month
Merlins 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 merlins are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Merlin month by month
Merlin by state
Frequently asked
Where are merlins in December?
In December, merlins are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do merlins nest in December?
No — merlins typically nest May through July at mid-latitudes.
What do merlins eat in December?
Small birds at feeders and on shorelines.
Sources
- Merlin — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Merlin life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Merlin — 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.