Red-tailed Hawk in December
Where red-tailed hawks are in December, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
December in the Red-tailed Hawk'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 Red-tailed Hawk specifically, December is a winter month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 58 states and provinces where red-tailed hawks occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where red-tailed hawks are in December
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In December, red-tailed hawks 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
Red-tailed hawks are not nesting in December. The season runs February–June at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, red-tailed hawks 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
- Rabbits, squirrels and carrion
Perches on poles and trees over open yards and fields; keeps rodent numbers down around rural homes.
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 Red-tailed Hawk diet guide → · Best feeder for red-tailed hawks →
Watching red-tailed hawks this month
Red-tailed hawks 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 red-tailed hawks are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Red-tailed Hawk month by month
Red-tailed Hawk by state
Frequently asked
Where are red-tailed hawks in December?
In December, red-tailed hawks are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do red-tailed hawks nest in December?
No — red-tailed hawks typically nest February through June at mid-latitudes.
What do red-tailed hawks eat in December?
Rabbits, squirrels and carrion.
Sources
- Red-tailed Hawk — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Red-tailed Hawk life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Red-tailed Hawk — 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.