Birds to See in Canada in December
148 bird species on our list for Canada are recorded regularly in December
Of these, the most often recorded are American Crow, Blue Jay, Downy Woodpecker, Mallard and Common Raven. New this month: Barnacle Goose and Brambling.
On the move in December
GBIF · DecAt their peak
From Canada’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 148 birds in December
148 birds
American CrowCorvus brachyrhynchosResidentCommon41–53 cmRecorded all year · 4.39% in Dec
Blue JayCyanocitta cristataResidentCommon25–30 cmRecorded all year · 3.28% in Dec
Downy WoodpeckerDryobates pubescensResidentCommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 3.20% in Dec
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 2.83% in Dec
Common RavenCorvus coraxResidentCommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 2.73% in Dec
White-breasted NuthatchSitta carolinensisWinter visitorCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 2.52% in Dec
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 2.39% in Dec
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 2.37% in Dec
Northern CardinalCardinalis cardinalisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 2.24% in Dec
Mourning DoveZenaida macrouraResidentCommon23–34 cmRecorded all year · 2.07% in Dec
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 2.00% in Dec
Hairy WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus villosusResidentCommon18–26 cmRecorded all year · 2.00% in Dec
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 1.85% in Dec
American Herring GullLarus smithsonianusResidentCommon53–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.68% in Dec
House FinchHaemorhous mexicanusResidentCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.67% in Dec
American RobinTurdus migratoriusResidentCommon20–28 cmRecorded all year · 1.57% in Dec
Bald EagleHaliaeetus leucocephalusResidentCommon70–102 cmRecorded all year · 1.57% in Dec
Song SparrowMelospiza melodiaResidentCommon12–17 cmRecorded all year · 1.51% in Dec
GoldeneyeBucephala clangulaWinter visitorCommon40–51 cmRecorded all year · 1.48% in Dec
Ring-billed GullLarus delawarensisResidentCommon43–54 cmRecorded all year · 1.39% in Dec
Northern FlickerColaptes auratusResidentCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 1.31% in Dec
Common MerganserMergus merganserWinter visitorCommon58–68 cmRecorded all year · 1.27% in Dec
Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensisResidentCommon45–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.09% in Dec
American Tree SparrowSpizelloides arboreaWinter visitorCommon14–17 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 1.06% in Dec
American Black DuckAnas rubripesWinter visitorCommon54–59 cmRecorded all year · 0.86% in Dec
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serratorWinter visitorCommon52–58 cmRegularly Sep–Jun · 0.84% in Dec
Hooded MerganserLophodytes cucullatusWinter visitorCommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.75% in Dec
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinusResidentCommon64–79 cmRecorded all year · 0.74% in Dec
Pileated WoodpeckerDryocopus pileatusResidentCommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.62% in Dec
Pine SiskinSpinus pinusResidentCommon11–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.60% in Dec
Red-bellied WoodpeckerMelanerpes carolinusResidentCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.59% in Dec
Common RedpollAcanthis flammeaWinter visitorCommon12–14 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.57% in Dec
Long-tailed DuckClangula hyemalisWinter visitorCommon37–60 cmRegularly Oct–Jun · 0.55% in Dec
Great Blue HeronArdea herodiasResidentCommon91–137 cmRecorded all year · 0.50% in Dec
Fox SparrowPasserella iliacaWinter visitorUncommon15–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.48% in Dec
Evening GrosbeakHesperiphona vespertinaResidentUncommon16–22 cmRecorded all year · 0.42% in Dec
Common LoonGavia immerResidentCommon66–91 cmRecorded all year · 0.41% in Dec
Iceland GullLarus glaucoidesWinter visitorUncommon52–60 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.40% in Dec
Pacific WrenTroglodytes pacificusWinter visitorUncommon8–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.39% in Dec
Trumpeter SwanCygnus buccinatorWinter visitorUncommon139–157 cmRecorded all year · 0.38% in Dec
Ruby-crowned KingletCorthylio calendulaSummer visitorCommon9–11 cmRecorded all year · 0.37% in Dec
Greater ScaupAythya marilaWinter visitorUncommon39–56 cmRegularly Sep–Jun · 0.36% in Dec
GadwallMareca streperaResidentUncommon46–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.35% in Dec
Snow BuntingPlectrophenax nivalisWinter visitorCommon15–18 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.34% in Dec
Varied ThrushIxoreus naeviusWinter visitorUncommon20–26 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 0.34% in Dec
Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceusSummer visitorCommon17–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.33% in Dec
Bohemian WaxwingBombycilla garrulusWinter visitorUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.33% in Dec
Mute SwanCygnus olorResidentUncommon140–160 cmRecorded all year · 0.32% in Dec
Wild TurkeyMeleagris gallopavoResidentUncommon100–125 cmRecorded all year · 0.31% in Dec
Eurasian TealAnas creccaWinter visitorCommon34–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.30% in Dec
Horned GrebePodiceps auritusWinter visitorUncommon31–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.29% in Dec
White-crowned SparrowZonotrichia leucophrysSummer visitorCommon15–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.28% in Dec
Surf ScoterMelanitta perspicillataWinter visitorUncommon48–60 cmRecorded all year · 0.27% in Dec
Rough-legged HawkButeo lagopusWinter visitorUncommon46–59 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.24% in Dec
Ruffed GrouseBonasa umbellusResidentUncommon41–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.23% in Dec
Northern PintailAnas acutaWinter visitorUncommon59–76 cmRecorded all year · 0.22% in Dec
MerlinFalco columbariusResidentCommon24–33 cmRecorded all year · 0.22% in Dec
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentUncommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.21% in Dec
Snowy OwlBubo scandiacusWinter visitorUncommon52–71 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.21% in Dec
Cedar WaxwingBombycilla cedrorumSummer visitorCommon15–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.19% in Dec
Sharp-shinned HawkAccipiter striatusWinter visitorUncommon24–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.18% in Dec
Red-necked GrebePodiceps grisegenaResidentUncommon40–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.18% in Dec
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataResidentCommon44–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.17% in Dec
Bonaparte's GullChroicocephalus philadelphiaSummer visitorUncommon28–38 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.17% in Dec
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraResidentUncommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in Dec
EiderSomateria mollissimaResidentUncommon50–71 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in Dec
Snow GooseAnser caerulescensWinter visitorCommon69–84 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in Dec
Great Horned OwlBubo virginianusWinter visitorUncommon46–63 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in Dec
Pied-billed GrebePodilymbus podicepsResidentUncommon31–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in Dec
Wood DuckAix sponsaSummer visitorCommon47–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Dec
Cackling GooseBranta hutchinsiiWinter visitorUncommon53–76 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.13% in Dec
Glaucous GullLarus hyperboreusWinter visitorUncommon62–68 cmRegularly Nov–Aug · 0.13% in Dec
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusResidentUncommon50–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Dec
Tufted TitmouseBaeolophus bicolorResidentUncommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Dec
Tundra SwanCygnus columbianusWinter visitorUncommon120–150 cmRegularly Oct–Jun · 0.13% in Dec
Black GuillemotCepphus grylleResidentUncommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Dec
Barred OwlStrix variaResidentUncommon43–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Dec
Red-throated LoonGavia stellataWinter visitorUncommon53–69 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Dec
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusResidentUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Dec
Horned LarkEremophila alpestrisResidentUncommon16–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Dec
Hermit ThrushCatharus guttatusSummer visitorCommon14–18 cmRegularly Apr–Feb · 0.09% in Dec
Turkey VultureCathartes auraSummer visitorCommon62–81 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Dec
Pacific LoonGavia pacificaResidentUncommon58–74 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Dec
DunlinCalidris alpinaWinter visitorUncommon16–22 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 0.08% in Dec
Eastern BluebirdSialia sialisResidentUncommon16–21 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Dec
Swamp SparrowMelospiza georgianaSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Feb · 0.08% in Dec
Eastern Screech-owlMegascops asioWinter visitorUncommon16–25 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Dec
Northern MockingbirdMimus polyglottosResidentUncommon21–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Dec
Ruddy DuckOxyura jamaicensisResidentUncommon35–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Dec
Eurasian WigeonMareca penelopeWinter visitorUncommon42–51 cmRegularly Sep–Jun · 0.07% in Dec
Sandhill CraneAntigone canadensisSummer visitorUncommon80–122 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Dec
Marsh WrenCistothorus palustrisSummer visitorUncommon10–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Dec
Grey PartridgePerdix perdixWinter visitorUncommon28–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Dec
Short-eared OwlAsio flammeusWinter visitorUncommon34–43 cmRegularly Oct–Jul · 0.06% in Dec
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusWinter visitorUncommon52–64 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Dec
Northern Saw-whet OwlAegolius acadicusWinter visitorUncommon17–21 cmRegularly Sep–Jun · 0.05% in Dec
Red-breasted SapsuckerSphyrapicus ruberResidentUncommon19–22 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Dec
Lincoln's SparrowMelospiza lincolniiSummer visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 0.04% in Dec
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaSummer visitorUncommon27–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Dec
Great CormorantPhalacrocorax carboWinter visitorUncommon80–100 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Dec
KittiwakeRissa tridactylaSummer visitorUncommon37–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Dec
Purple SandpiperCalidris maritimaWinter visitorRare20–22 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.03% in Dec
Virginia RailRallus limicolaResidentUncommon20–27 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Dec
Greater White-fronted GooseAnser albifronsWinter visitorUncommon64–81 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Dec
RazorbillAlca tordaSummer visitorUncommon38–43 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 0.03% in Dec
Orange-crowned WarblerLeiothlypis celataSummer visitorUncommon11–14 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.03% in Dec
Western MeadowlarkSturnella neglectaSummer visitorUncommon16–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Dec
Brent GooseBranta berniclaResidentUncommon55–66 cmRegularly Oct–Jul · 0.03% in Dec
Long-eared OwlAsio otusWinter visitorRare35–40 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.02% in Dec
Golden EagleAquila chrysaetosWinter visitorUncommon66–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Dec
Black-backed WoodpeckerPicoides arcticusResidentRare21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Dec
Northern Pygmy-owlGlaucidium gnomaWinter visitorRare15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Dec
Lapland LongspurCalcarius lapponicusWinter visitorUncommon15–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Dec
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundusWinter visitorRare38–44 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Dec
American Three-toed WoodpeckerPicoides dorsalisResidentRare21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Dec
Black-crowned Night-heronNycticorax nycticoraxSummer visitorUncommon58–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Dec
King EiderSomateria spectabilisResidentRare46–64 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Dec
Little GullHydrocoloeus minutusResidentRare25–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Dec
Tufted DuckAythya fuligulaWinter visitorRare40–47 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.02% in Dec
Little AukAlle alleWinter visitorRare18–21 cmRegularly Sep–Feb · 0.02% in Dec
Long-billed DowitcherLimnodromus scolopaceusWinter visitorUncommon27–30 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.01% in Dec
Northern GannetMorus bassanusSummer visitorUncommon87–100 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.01% in Dec
Boreal OwlAegolius funereusWinter visitorRare21–28 cmRegularly Sep–Jun · 0.01% in Dec
Lark SparrowChondestes grammacusSummer visitorRare15–17 cmRegularly Apr–Feb · 0.01% in Dec
Mountain BluebirdSialia currucoidesSummer visitorUncommon15–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Dec
Ross's GooseAnser rossiiWinter visitorRare57–64 cmRegularly Sep–Jun · 0.01% in Dec
DickcisselSpiza americanaResidentRare14–16 cmRegularly May–Feb · 0.01% in Dec
Black-necked GrebePodiceps nigricollisSummer visitorUncommon28–34 cmRegularly Apr–Feb · 0.01% in Dec
Red-headed WoodpeckerMelanerpes erythrocephalusSummer visitorUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 0.01% in Dec
Marbled GodwitLimosa fedoaSummer visitorUncommon40–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Dec
Pink-footed GooseAnser brachyrhynchusWinter visitorRare60–75 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Dec
Muscovy DuckCairina moschataWinter visitorRare66–84 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Dec
White-winged DoveZenaida asiaticaSummer visitorRare27–30 cmRegularly Feb–Dec · 0.00% in Dec
Greylag GooseAnser anserWinter visitorRare75–90 cmRegularly Jun–Apr · 0.00% in Dec
Red KnotCalidris canutusSummer visitorUncommon23–26 cmRegularly May–Dec · 0.00% in Dec
Western Screech-owlMegascops kennicottiiWinter visitorRare19–25 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Dec
Grey PhalaropePhalaropus fulicariusPassage migrantRare20–22 cmRegularly Jun–Dec · 0.00% in Dec
ChukarAlectoris chukarResidentRare32–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Dec
Common GullLarus canusWinter visitorRare40–46 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.00% in Dec
FulmarFulmarus glacialisSummer visitorRare45–50 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.00% in Dec
Mandarin DuckAix galericulataWinter visitorRare41–49 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.00% in Dec
BramblingFringilla montifringillaWinter visitorRare14–16 cmRegularly Dec–Apr · 0.00% in Dec
Indian PeafowlPavo cristatusResidentRare86–230 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Dec
Pomarine JaegerStercorarius pomarinusPassage migrantRare46–51 cmRegularly Jun–Dec · 0.00% in Dec
Fish CrowCorvus ossifragusSummer visitorRare36–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Dec
Eurasian Tree SparrowPasser montanusPassage migrantRare13–14 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.00% in Dec
Barnacle GooseBranta leucopsisPassage migrantRare58–70 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.00% in Dec
European GoldfinchCarduelis carduelisPassage migrantRare12–13 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 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