Orchard Oriole in December
Where orchard orioles are in December, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
December in the Orchard Oriole'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 Orchard Oriole specifically, December is a winter month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 31 states and provinces where orchard orioles occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where orchard orioles are in December
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- mostly absent (migration only)
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In December, orchard orioles are absent in the South, mostly absent (migration only) 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
Orchard orioles are not nesting in December. The season runs May–June at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, orchard orioles 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
- Winters in Central America
Arrives late April and leaves by August — one of the shortest stays of any songbird.
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 Orchard Oriole diet guide → · Best feeder for orchard orioles →
Watching orchard orioles this month
Orchard orioles 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 orchard orioles are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Orchard Oriole month by month
Orchard Oriole by state
Frequently asked
Where are orchard orioles in December?
In December, orchard orioles are absent in the South, mostly absent (migration only) across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do orchard orioles nest in December?
No — orchard orioles typically nest May through June at mid-latitudes.
What do orchard orioles eat in December?
Winters in Central America.
Sources
- Orchard Oriole — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Orchard Oriole life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Orchard Oriole — 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.