Scarlet Tanager in December
Where scarlet tanagers are in December, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
December in the Scarlet Tanager'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 Scarlet Tanager specifically, December is a winter month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 37 states and provinces where scarlet tanagers occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where scarlet tanagers are in December
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- mostly absent (migration only)
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In December, scarlet tanagers 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
Scarlet tanagers are not nesting in December. The season runs May–July at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, scarlet tanagers 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
- Migrates to South America
A treetop bird that drops to birdbaths and jelly feeders during spring migration, especially after storms.
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 Scarlet Tanager diet guide → · Best feeder for scarlet tanagers →
Watching scarlet tanagers this month
Scarlet tanagers 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 scarlet tanagers are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Scarlet Tanager month by month
Scarlet Tanager by state
Frequently asked
Where are scarlet tanagers in December?
In December, scarlet tanagers are absent in the South, mostly absent (migration only) across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do scarlet tanagers nest in December?
No — scarlet tanagers typically nest May through July at mid-latitudes.
What do scarlet tanagers eat in December?
Migrates to South America.
Sources
- Scarlet Tanager — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Scarlet Tanager life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Scarlet Tanager — 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.