Song Sparrow in December
Where song sparrows are in December, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
December in the Song Sparrow'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 Song Sparrow 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 song sparrows occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where song sparrows are in December
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In December, song sparrows 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
Song sparrows are not nesting in December. The season runs April–August at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, song sparrows 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
- Weed and grass seeds
Song Sparrows feed at the edge of shrubbery and are among the first birds singing in late winter.
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 Song Sparrow diet guide → · Best feeder for song sparrows →
Watching song sparrows this month
Song sparrows 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 song sparrows are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Song Sparrow month by month
Song Sparrow by state
Frequently asked
Where are song sparrows in December?
In December, song sparrows are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do song sparrows nest in December?
No — song sparrows typically nest April through August at mid-latitudes.
What do song sparrows eat in December?
Weed and grass seeds.
Sources
- Song Sparrow — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Song Sparrow life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Song Sparrow — 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.