Sharp-shinned Hawk in December
Where sharp-shinned hawks are in December, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
December in the Sharp-shinned 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 Sharp-shinned Hawk 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 sharp-shinned hawks occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where sharp-shinned hawks are in December
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In December, sharp-shinned 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
Sharp-shinned hawks are not nesting in December. The season runs April–June at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, sharp-shinned 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
- Feeder birds, especially juncos and sparrows
A winter regular at busy feeders; dense shrub cover near feeding areas gives small birds an escape route.
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 Sharp-shinned Hawk diet guide → · Best feeder for sharp-shinned hawks →
Watching sharp-shinned hawks this month
Sharp-shinned 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 sharp-shinned hawks are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Sharp-shinned Hawk month by month
Sharp-shinned Hawk by state
Frequently asked
Where are sharp-shinned hawks in December?
In December, sharp-shinned hawks are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do sharp-shinned hawks nest in December?
No — sharp-shinned hawks typically nest April through June at mid-latitudes.
What do sharp-shinned hawks eat in December?
Feeder birds, especially juncos and sparrows.
Sources
- Sharp-shinned Hawk — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Sharp-shinned Hawk life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Sharp-shinned 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.