White-eyed Vireo in December
Where white-eyed vireos are in December, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
December in the White-eyed Vireo'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 White-eyed Vireo specifically, December is a winter month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 26 states and provinces where white-eyed vireos occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where white-eyed vireos are in December
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In December, white-eyed vireos 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
White-eyed vireos are not nesting in December. The season runs April–July at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, white-eyed vireos 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
- Wax myrtle and other small fruit
A thicket bird with a loud, snappy song; stays low in tangles and shrubby field edges.
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 White-eyed Vireo diet guide → · Best feeder for white-eyed vireos →
Watching white-eyed vireos this month
White-eyed vireos 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 white-eyed vireos are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
White-eyed Vireo month by month
White-eyed Vireo by state
Frequently asked
Where are white-eyed vireos in December?
In December, white-eyed vireos are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do white-eyed vireos nest in December?
No — white-eyed vireos typically nest April through July at mid-latitudes.
What do white-eyed vireos eat in December?
Wax myrtle and other small fruit.
Sources
- White-eyed Vireo — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- White-eyed Vireo life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- White-eyed Vireo — 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.