Western Bluebird in December
Where western bluebirds are in December, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
December in the Western Bluebird'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 Western Bluebird specifically, December is a winter month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 12 states and provinces where western bluebirds occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where western bluebirds are in December
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In December, western bluebirds 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
Western bluebirds are not nesting in December. The season runs April–July at mid-latitudes.
That makes December a useful month for nest-box work: cleaning out old nesting material, checking mounts and predator guards, and making repairs while boxes are empty. A box that's ready early gets claimed early.
What to feed in December
- Mistletoe, juniper and elderberry
Uses 1 1/2 in nest boxes in open oak and pine woodland; boxes have helped recovery in the Pacific Northwest.
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 Western Bluebird diet guide → · Best feeder for western bluebirds →
Watching western bluebirds this month
Western bluebirds 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.
If you have a Western Bluebird box up, this is the month to make sure it's clean, secure and ready — the box guide below has the exact hole size and mounting height this species needs.
Western Bluebird month by month
Western Bluebird by state
Frequently asked
Where are western bluebirds in December?
In December, western bluebirds are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do western bluebirds nest in December?
No — western bluebirds typically nest April through July at mid-latitudes.
What do western bluebirds eat in December?
Mistletoe, juniper and elderberry.
Sources
- Western Bluebird — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Western Bluebird life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Western Bluebird — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- NestWatch nest box plans and species requirements — Cornell Lab
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.