Vermilion Flycatcher in December
Where vermilion flycatchers are in December, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
December in the Vermilion Flycatcher'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 Vermilion Flycatcher specifically, December is a winter month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 6 states and provinces where vermilion flycatchers occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where vermilion flycatchers are in December
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In December, vermilion flycatchers 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
Vermilion flycatchers are not nesting in December. The season runs March–August at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, vermilion flycatchers 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
- Insects in mild southwestern winters
A desert oasis and park bird; males hover-display over females on spring mornings.
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 Vermilion Flycatcher diet guide → · Best feeder for vermilion flycatchers →
Watching vermilion flycatchers this month
Vermilion flycatchers 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 vermilion flycatchers are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Vermilion Flycatcher month by month
Vermilion Flycatcher by state
Frequently asked
Where are vermilion flycatchers in December?
In December, vermilion flycatchers are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do vermilion flycatchers nest in December?
No — vermilion flycatchers typically nest March through August at mid-latitudes.
What do vermilion flycatchers eat in December?
Insects in mild southwestern winters.
Sources
- Vermilion Flycatcher — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Vermilion Flycatcher life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Vermilion Flycatcher — 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.