Varied Bunting in December
Where varied buntings are in December, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
December in the Varied Bunting'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 Varied Bunting specifically, December is a winter month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 3 states and provinces where varied buntings occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where varied buntings are in December
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- mostly absent (migration only)
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In December, varied buntings 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
Varied buntings are not nesting in December. The season runs May–August at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, varied buntings 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 Mexico
A Mexican border specialty of thorny canyon scrub; a birdbath is the best way to see one.
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 Varied Bunting diet guide → · Best feeder for varied buntings →
Watching varied buntings this month
Varied buntings 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 varied buntings are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Varied Bunting month by month
Varied Bunting by state
Frequently asked
Where are varied buntings in December?
In December, varied buntings are absent in the South, mostly absent (migration only) across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do varied buntings nest in December?
No — varied buntings typically nest May through August at mid-latitudes.
What do varied buntings eat in December?
Migrates to Mexico.
Sources
- Varied Bunting — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Varied Bunting life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Varied Bunting — 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.