Birds to See in British Columbia in December
117 bird species on our list for British Columbia are recorded regularly in December
Of these, the most often recorded are Song Sparrow, Northern Flicker, American Crow, Mallard and Bald Eagle. New this month: Common Grackle and Tufted Duck.
On the move in December
GBIF · DecAt their peak
From British Columbia’s bird records, 2019–2024: arriving birds are regular this month but not last; leaving birds are regular this month but not next.
Other months
All 117 birds in December
117 birds
Song SparrowMelospiza melodiaResidentCommon12–17 cmRecorded all year · 3.67% in Dec
Northern FlickerColaptes auratusResidentCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 3.19% in Dec
American CrowCorvus brachyrhynchosResidentCommon41–53 cmRecorded all year · 3.04% in Dec
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 2.66% in Dec
Bald EagleHaliaeetus leucocephalusResidentCommon70–102 cmRecorded all year · 2.65% in Dec
Common RavenCorvus coraxResidentCommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 2.62% in Dec
American RobinTurdus migratoriusResidentCommon20–28 cmRecorded all year · 2.22% in Dec
House FinchHaemorhous mexicanusResidentCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 2.04% in Dec
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.87% in Dec
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 1.61% in Dec
Fox SparrowPasserella iliacaWinter visitorCommon15–19 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 1.59% in Dec
Pacific WrenTroglodytes pacificusResidentCommon8–12 cmRecorded all year · 1.39% in Dec
Pine SiskinSpinus pinusResidentCommon11–14 cmRecorded all year · 1.34% in Dec
Downy WoodpeckerDryobates pubescensResidentCommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 1.31% in Dec
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 1.29% in Dec
Ruby-crowned KingletCorthylio calendulaResidentCommon9–11 cmRecorded all year · 1.22% in Dec
Great Blue HeronArdea herodiasResidentCommon91–137 cmRecorded all year · 1.20% in Dec
Varied ThrushIxoreus naeviusWinter visitorCommon20–26 cmRecorded all year · 1.20% in Dec
Common MerganserMergus merganserResidentCommon58–68 cmRecorded all year · 1.19% in Dec
GoldeneyeBucephala clangulaWinter visitorCommon40–51 cmRegularly Aug–May · 1.13% in Dec
Hooded MerganserLophodytes cucullatusWinter visitorCommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 1.01% in Dec
Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensisResidentCommon45–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.92% in Dec
White-crowned SparrowZonotrichia leucophrysResidentCommon15–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.86% in Dec
Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceusResidentCommon17–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.85% in Dec
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 0.80% in Dec
Eurasian TealAnas creccaWinter visitorCommon34–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.71% in Dec
Horned GrebePodiceps auritusWinter visitorCommon31–38 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.70% in Dec
Surf ScoterMelanitta perspicillataWinter visitorCommon48–60 cmRecorded all year · 0.63% in Dec
Trumpeter SwanCygnus buccinatorWinter visitorCommon139–157 cmRecorded all year · 0.63% in Dec
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentCommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.60% in Dec
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serratorWinter visitorCommon52–58 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.60% in Dec
Common LoonGavia immerResidentCommon66–91 cmRecorded all year · 0.59% in Dec
Hairy WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus villosusResidentCommon18–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.57% in Dec
Northern PintailAnas acutaWinter visitorCommon59–76 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 0.48% in Dec
GadwallMareca streperaResidentCommon46–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.45% in Dec
Pied-billed GrebePodilymbus podicepsResidentCommon31–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.43% in Dec
Pileated WoodpeckerDryocopus pileatusResidentCommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.43% in Dec
Red-necked GrebePodiceps grisegenaWinter visitorCommon40–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.42% in Dec
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataResidentCommon44–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.38% in Dec
Ring-billed GullLarus delawarensisResidentCommon43–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.32% in Dec
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraResidentCommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.31% in Dec
Wood DuckAix sponsaResidentCommon47–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.30% in Dec
Cackling GooseBranta hutchinsiiWinter visitorCommon53–76 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.30% in Dec
Pacific LoonGavia pacificaWinter visitorUncommon58–74 cmRecorded all year · 0.29% in Dec
MerlinFalco columbariusResidentUncommon24–33 cmRecorded all year · 0.26% in Dec
DunlinCalidris alpinaWinter visitorUncommon16–22 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.25% in Dec
Iceland GullLarus glaucoidesWinter visitorUncommon52–60 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.25% in Dec
Greater ScaupAythya marilaWinter visitorUncommon39–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.24% in Dec
Snow GooseAnser caerulescensWinter visitorCommon69–84 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.22% in Dec
Marsh WrenCistothorus palustrisResidentUncommon10–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.21% in Dec
Sharp-shinned HawkAccipiter striatusWinter visitorUncommon24–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in Dec
Eurasian WigeonMareca penelopeWinter visitorUncommon42–51 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.20% in Dec
Bohemian WaxwingBombycilla garrulusWinter visitorUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.19% in Dec
American Herring GullLarus smithsonianusWinter visitorUncommon53–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in Dec
Red-breasted SapsuckerSphyrapicus ruberResidentUncommon19–22 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in Dec
Mourning DoveZenaida macrouraResidentUncommon23–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in Dec
Long-tailed DuckClangula hyemalisWinter visitorUncommon37–60 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.15% in Dec
Great Horned OwlBubo virginianusResidentUncommon46–63 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in Dec
Red-throated LoonGavia stellataWinter visitorUncommon53–69 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in Dec
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusResidentUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in Dec
Lincoln's SparrowMelospiza lincolniiSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Feb · 0.14% in Dec
Yellow-rumped WarblerSetophaga coronataSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.13% in Dec
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaWinter visitorUncommon27–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Dec
Cedar WaxwingBombycilla cedrorumSummer visitorCommon15–18 cmRegularly May–Dec · 0.13% in Dec
Barred OwlStrix variaResidentUncommon43–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Dec
Hermit ThrushCatharus guttatusSummer visitorUncommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Dec
Virginia RailRallus limicolaResidentUncommon20–27 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in Dec
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusResidentUncommon50–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in Dec
Greater YellowlegsTringa melanoleucaSummer visitorCommon29–40 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in Dec
Turkey VultureCathartes auraSummer visitorCommon62–81 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Dec
Bonaparte's GullChroicocephalus philadelphiaSummer visitorUncommon28–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Dec
Brent GooseBranta berniclaWinter visitorUncommon55–66 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.08% in Dec
Common RedpollAcanthis flammeaWinter visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.08% in Dec
Western MeadowlarkSturnella neglectaSummer visitorUncommon16–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Dec
Short-eared OwlAsio flammeusWinter visitorUncommon34–43 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.08% in Dec
Rough-legged HawkButeo lagopusWinter visitorUncommon46–59 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.07% in Dec
Evening GrosbeakHesperiphona vespertinaResidentUncommon16–22 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Dec
Ruffed GrouseBonasa umbellusResidentUncommon41–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Dec
Northern Pygmy-owlGlaucidium gnomaWinter visitorUncommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Dec
Blue JayCyanocitta cristataResidentUncommon25–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Dec
Greater White-fronted GooseAnser albifronsWinter visitorUncommon64–81 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.06% in Dec
Sandhill CraneAntigone canadensisResidentUncommon80–122 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Dec
White-breasted NuthatchSitta carolinensisResidentUncommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Dec
Tundra SwanCygnus columbianusWinter visitorUncommon120–150 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.05% in Dec
Ruddy DuckOxyura jamaicensisResidentUncommon35–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Dec
Black-crowned Night-heronNycticorax nycticoraxWinter visitorUncommon58–65 cmRegularly Aug–Mar · 0.04% in Dec
Long-billed DowitcherLimnodromus scolopaceusWinter visitorUncommon27–30 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.04% in Dec
Wild TurkeyMeleagris gallopavoResidentRare100–125 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Dec
SanderlingCalidris albaWinter visitorUncommon18–20 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.03% in Dec
American Tree SparrowSpizelloides arboreaWinter visitorUncommon14–17 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 0.03% in Dec
Mute SwanCygnus olorResidentUncommon140–160 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Dec
Swamp SparrowMelospiza georgianaResidentRare12–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Dec
Golden EagleAquila chrysaetosResidentUncommon66–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Dec
Northern Saw-whet OwlAegolius acadicusWinter visitorUncommon17–21 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 0.02% in Dec
Marbled GodwitLimosa fedoaResidentRare40–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Dec
Glaucous GullLarus hyperboreusWinter visitorRare62–68 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.02% in Dec
Snow BuntingPlectrophenax nivalisWinter visitorUncommon15–18 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.01% in Dec
American Three-toed WoodpeckerPicoides dorsalisResidentRare21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Dec
American AvocetRecurvirostra americanaSummer visitorRare43–51 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.01% in Dec
Black-necked GrebePodiceps nigricollisResidentUncommon28–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Dec
Western Screech-owlMegascops kennicottiiResidentRare19–25 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Dec
Tufted DuckAythya fuligulaWinter visitorRare40–47 cmRegularly Dec–Mar · 0.01% in Dec
Snowy OwlBubo scandiacusWinter visitorRare52–71 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.01% in Dec
WhimbrelNumenius phaeopusSummer visitorUncommon40–46 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.01% in Dec
ChukarAlectoris chukarResidentRare32–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Dec
American BitternBotaurus lentiginosusResidentRare58–85 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Dec
Palm WarblerSetophaga palmarumSummer visitorRare12–14 cmRegularly May–Dec · 0.01% in Dec
Indian PeafowlPavo cristatusResidentRare86–230 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Dec
Mandarin DuckAix galericulataWinter visitorRare41–49 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 0.01% in Dec
Great White EgretArdea albaPassage migrantRare80–104 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 0.00% in Dec
FulmarFulmarus glacialisSummer visitorRare45–50 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.00% in Dec
Muscovy DuckCairina moschataResidentRare66–84 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Dec
Red KnotCalidris canutusSummer visitorRare23–26 cmRegularly May–Feb · 0.00% in Dec
Common GrackleQuiscalus quisculaSummer visitorRare28–34 cmRegularly Apr–Feb · 0.00% in Dec
Black-backed WoodpeckerPicoides arcticusResidentRare21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Dec
American Black DuckAnas rubripesWinter visitorRare54–59 cmRegularly Sep–Feb · 0.00% in Dec
Grey PartridgePerdix perdixSummer visitorRare28–32 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.00% in Dec
Data: EOD – eBird Observation Dataset (Cornell Lab of Ornithology), accessed via GBIF.org, CC BY 4.0. Records from 2019–2024, aggregated and filtered by Birdfact. How these lists are made