Birds to See in Netherlands in December
194 bird species on our list for Netherlands are recorded regularly in December
Of these, the most often recorded are Carrion Crow, Mallard, Blackbird, Great Tit and Coot. New this month: Black-tailed Godwit, Glaucous Gull, Glossy Ibis and Parrot Crossbill and 3 more.
On the move in December
GBIF · DecArriving
At their peak
Greater White-fronted GooseBusiest month of the year · Sep–Apr
Eurasian WigeonBusiest month of the year · Aug–Jun
Hen HarrierBusiest month of the year · Aug–May
Red-breasted GooseBusiest month of the year · Aug–May
Rough-legged HawkBusiest month of the year · Oct–Mar
DipperBusiest month of the year · Aug
From Netherlands’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 194 birds in December
194 birds
Carrion CrowCorvus coroneResidentCommon45–47 cmRecorded all year · 3.11% in Dec
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 2.94% in Dec
BlackbirdTurdus merulaResidentCommon24–25 cmRecorded all year · 2.79% in Dec
Great TitParus majorResidentCommonRecorded all year · 2.66% in Dec
CootFulica atraResidentCommon36–42 cmRecorded all year · 2.65% in Dec
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundusResidentCommon38–44 cmRecorded all year · 2.65% in Dec
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleusResidentCommon11–12 cmRecorded all year · 2.57% in Dec
MagpiePica picaResidentCommon44–46 cmRecorded all year · 2.54% in Dec
Great CormorantPhalacrocorax carboResidentCommon80–100 cmRecorded all year · 2.52% in Dec
WoodpigeonColumba palumbusResidentCommon40–42 cmRecorded all year · 2.31% in Dec
European RobinErithacus rubeculaResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 2.31% in Dec
Greylag GooseAnser anserResidentCommon75–90 cmRecorded all year · 2.20% in Dec
JackdawColoeus monedulaResidentCommon34–39 cmRecorded all year · 2.17% in Dec
ChaffinchFringilla coelebsResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 2.16% in Dec
Grey HeronArdea cinereaResidentCommon90–98 cmRecorded all year · 2.12% in Dec
European Herring GullLarus argentatusResidentCommon55–67 cmRecorded all year · 1.88% in Dec
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.79% in Dec
BuzzardButeo buteoResidentCommon51–57 cmRecorded all year · 1.67% in Dec
Tufted DuckAythya fuligulaResidentCommon40–47 cmRecorded all year · 1.66% in Dec
Eurasian WrenTroglodytes troglodytesResidentCommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 1.59% in Dec
Great Crested GrebePodiceps cristatusResidentCommon46–51 cmRecorded all year · 1.52% in Dec
MoorhenGallinula chloropusResidentCommon30–38 cmRecorded all year · 1.50% in Dec
GadwallMareca streperaResidentCommon46–56 cmRecorded all year · 1.45% in Dec
Egyptian GooseAlopochen aegyptiacaResidentCommon63–73 cmRecorded all year · 1.43% in Dec
Mute SwanCygnus olorResidentCommon140–160 cmRecorded all year · 1.41% in Dec
Great White EgretArdea albaResidentCommon80–104 cmRecorded all year · 1.41% in Dec
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos majorResidentCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 1.39% in Dec- Greater White-fronted GooseAnser albifronsWinter visitorCommon64–81 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 1.38% in Dec
- Eurasian WigeonMareca penelopeWinter visitorCommon42–51 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 1.30% in Dec
KestrelFalco tinnunculusResidentCommon32–39 cmRecorded all year · 1.24% in Dec
Eurasian JayGarrulus glandariusResidentCommon32–35 cmRecorded all year · 1.23% in Dec
Common GullLarus canusResidentCommon40–46 cmRecorded all year · 1.15% in Dec
Northern LapwingVanellus vanellusResidentCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 1.09% in Dec
Common ShelduckTadorna tadornaResidentCommon58–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.99% in Dec
Eurasian TealAnas creccaWinter visitorCommon34–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.95% in Dec
Barnacle GooseBranta leucopsisResidentCommon58–70 cmRecorded all year · 0.94% in Dec
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataResidentCommon44–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.94% in Dec
Short-toed TreecreeperCerthia brachydactylaResidentCommon12–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.94% in Dec
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.87% in Dec
CurlewNumenius arquataResidentCommon50–60 cmRecorded all year · 0.83% in Dec
GoldcrestRegulus regulusWinter visitorCommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 0.78% in Dec
RedwingTurdus iliacusWinter visitorCommon20–24 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.76% in Dec
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatusResidentCommon13–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.76% in Dec
PochardAythya ferinaResidentCommon42–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.72% in Dec
Eurasian OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegusResidentCommon40–45 cmRecorded all year · 0.72% in Dec
European GoldfinchCarduelis carduelisResidentCommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.71% in Dec
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentCommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.68% in Dec
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 0.65% in Dec
Eurasian NuthatchSitta europaeaResidentCommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.60% in Dec
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinusResidentCommon64–79 cmRecorded all year · 0.59% in Dec
Common MerganserMergus merganserWinter visitorCommon58–68 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.58% in Dec
Rose-ringed ParakeetPsittacula krameriResidentCommon38–42 cmRecorded all year · 0.58% in Dec
Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollisResidentCommon23–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.57% in Dec
DunnockPrunella modularisResidentCommon14–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.57% in Dec
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusResidentCommon50–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.56% in Dec
Meadow PipitAnthus pratensisResidentCommon14–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.56% in Dec
Brent GooseBranta berniclaWinter visitorCommon55–66 cmRegularly Sep–Jun · 0.50% in Dec
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresWinter visitorCommon21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.50% in Dec
Stock DoveColumba oenasResidentCommon32–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.47% in Dec
Eurasian SiskinSpinus spinusWinter visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.46% in Dec
Common KingfisherAlcedo atthisResidentCommon16–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.46% in Dec
FieldfareTurdus pilarisWinter visitorCommon22–27 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.44% in Dec
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon31–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.44% in Dec
Northern PintailAnas acutaWinter visitorUncommon59–76 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.44% in Dec
GoldeneyeBucephala clangulaWinter visitorUncommon40–51 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.43% in Dec
RedshankTringa totanusResidentCommon27–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.41% in Dec
GreenfinchChloris chlorisResidentCommon15–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.40% in Dec
FirecrestRegulus ignicapillaWinter visitorUncommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 0.39% in Dec
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisusResidentCommon28–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.37% in Dec- Hen HarrierCircus cyaneusWinter visitorUncommon41–52 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.35% in Dec
Water RailRallus aquaticusWinter visitorUncommon23–28 cmRecorded all year · 0.35% in Dec
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serratorWinter visitorUncommon52–58 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.34% in Dec
Common SnipeGallinago gallinagoWinter visitorCommon25–27 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.33% in Dec
SanderlingCalidris albaWinter visitorUncommon18–20 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.32% in Dec
Song ThrushTurdus philomelosResidentCommon20–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.31% in Dec
SmewMergellus albellusWinter visitorUncommon38–44 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.31% in Dec
Golden PloverPluvialis apricariaWinter visitorCommon26–29 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.29% in Dec
Cetti's WarblerCettia cettiResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.28% in Dec
European Green WoodpeckerPicus viridisResidentCommon30–36 cmRecorded all year · 0.27% in Dec
Little EgretEgretta garzettaResidentUncommon55–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.27% in Dec
Tundra Bean GooseAnser serrirostrisWinter visitorUncommon66–84 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.26% in Dec
DunlinCalidris alpinaWinter visitorCommon16–22 cmRecorded all year · 0.26% in Dec
Reed BuntingEmberiza schoeniclusResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.23% in Dec
Tundra SwanCygnus columbianusWinter visitorUncommon120–150 cmRegularly Oct–Feb · 0.22% in Dec
Marsh TitPoecile palustrisResidentUncommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.21% in Dec
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusSummer visitorCommon52–64 cmRecorded all year · 0.21% in Dec
EiderSomateria mollissimaResidentUncommon50–71 cmRecorded all year · 0.21% in Dec
Whooper SwanCygnus cygnusWinter visitorUncommon140–165 cmRegularly May–Mar · 0.21% in Dec
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusResidentUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in Dec
BramblingFringilla montifringillaWinter visitorCommon14–16 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.20% in Dec
RookCorvus frugilegusResidentUncommon45–47 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in Dec
Pied WagtailMotacilla albaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in Dec
HawfinchCoccothraustes coccothraustesResidentUncommon17–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.19% in Dec
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinereaWinter visitorUncommon17–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.18% in Dec
White-tailed Sea-eagleHaliaeetus albicillaResidentUncommon66–94 cmRecorded all year · 0.18% in Dec
Crested TitLophophanes cristatusResidentUncommon11–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.18% in Dec
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaWinter visitorUncommon27–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in Dec
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybitaSummer visitorCommon10–12 cmRegularly Feb–Dec · 0.16% in Dec
Eurasian SkylarkAlauda arvensisResidentCommon16–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in Dec
AvocetRecurvirostra avosettaSummer visitorCommon42–45 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in Dec
Eurasian SpoonbillPlatalea leucorodiaSummer visitorCommon80–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in Dec
Purple SandpiperCalidris maritimaWinter visitorUncommon20–22 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.15% in Dec
Rock PipitAnthus petrosusWinter visitorUncommon16–18 cmRegularly Sep–Mar · 0.15% in Dec
BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhulaResidentUncommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in Dec
Water PipitAnthus spinolettaWinter visitorUncommon15–17 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.14% in Dec
Common RavenCorvus coraxResidentUncommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in Dec
Red-throated LoonGavia stellataWinter visitorUncommon53–69 cmRegularly Sep–Mar · 0.13% in Dec
Western Marsh-harrierCircus aeruginosusSummer visitorCommon48–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Dec
Common ScoterMelanitta nigraWinter visitorUncommon43–54 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.13% in Dec
Northern GoshawkAstur gentilisResidentUncommon46–61 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Dec
StonechatSaxicola rubicolaSummer visitorCommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Dec
Greater ScaupAythya marilaWinter visitorUncommon39–56 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.11% in Dec
Bearded TitPanurus biarmicusResidentUncommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in Dec
Common RedpollAcanthis flammeaWinter visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.10% in Dec
Ringed PloverCharadrius hiaticulaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Dec
Bar-tailed GodwitLimosa lapponicaResidentUncommon37–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Dec
Horned GrebePodiceps auritusWinter visitorUncommon31–38 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.09% in Dec
Green SandpiperTringa ochropusSummer visitorCommon21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Dec
Coal TitPeriparus aterResidentUncommon10–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Dec
Willow TitPoecile montanusResidentUncommon11–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Dec
RuffCalidris pugnaxSummer visitorUncommon20–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Dec
Eurasian WoodcockScolopax rusticolaWinter visitorUncommon33–38 cmRegularly Oct–Jul · 0.08% in Dec
Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorusResidentUncommon26–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Dec
Red KnotCalidris canutusWinter visitorUncommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Dec
LinnetLinaria cannabinaSummer visitorCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Dec
YellowhammerEmberiza citrinellaResidentUncommon16–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Dec
Snow BuntingPlectrophenax nivalisWinter visitorUncommon15–18 cmRegularly Sep–Mar · 0.07% in Dec
Pink-footed GooseAnser brachyrhynchusWinter visitorUncommon60–75 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.07% in Dec
Black-necked GrebePodiceps nigricollisResidentUncommon28–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Dec
Eurasian Tree SparrowPasser montanusResidentUncommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Dec
Northern GannetMorus bassanusWinter visitorUncommon87–100 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Dec
Long-eared OwlAsio otusResidentUncommon35–40 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Dec
Black SwanCygnus atratusResidentUncommon110–142 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Dec
RazorbillAlca tordaWinter visitorUncommon38–43 cmRegularly Sep–Feb · 0.07% in Dec
Horned LarkEremophila alpestrisWinter visitorUncommon16–20 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.06% in Dec- Red-breasted GooseBranta ruficollisWinter visitorUncommon53–56 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.06% in Dec
KittiwakeRissa tridactylaWinter visitorUncommon37–41 cmRegularly Jun–Apr · 0.06% in Dec
Little GullHydrocoloeus minutusResidentUncommon25–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Dec
Red-crested PochardNetta rufinaResidentUncommon53–57 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Dec
Great Grey ShrikeLanius excubitorWinter visitorUncommon22–26 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.06% in Dec
Lesser Spotted WoodpeckerDryobates minorResidentUncommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Dec
Tawny OwlStrix alucoResidentUncommon37–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Dec
European ShagGulosus aristotelisWinter visitorRare65–80 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Dec
Long-tailed DuckClangula hyemalisWinter visitorUncommon37–60 cmRegularly Jun–Apr · 0.05% in Dec
Yellow-legged GullLarus michahellisResidentUncommon52–68 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Dec
Cattle EgretArdea ibisResidentUncommon46–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Dec
Spotted RedshankTringa erythropusSummer visitorUncommon29–31 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Dec
Bar-headed GooseAnser indicusResidentRare68–78 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Dec
TwiteLinaria flavirostrisWinter visitorUncommon13–14 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.04% in Dec
Black-tailed GodwitLimosa limosaSummer visitorCommon40–44 cmRegularly Feb–Dec · 0.04% in Dec
Arctic LoonGavia arcticaWinter visitorRare58–77 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.04% in Dec
Bohemian WaxwingBombycilla garrulusWinter visitorRare19–23 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.04% in Dec
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraResidentUncommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Dec
Mandarin DuckAix galericulataResidentRare41–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Dec
Greater FlamingoPhoenicopterus roseusResidentRare120–145 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Dec
MerlinFalco columbariusWinter visitorUncommon24–33 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.03% in Dec
Velvet ScoterMelanitta fuscaWinter visitorRare51–58 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.03% in Dec
Sandwich TernThalasseus sandvicensisSummer visitorUncommon36–41 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.03% in Dec
Muscovy DuckCairina moschataResidentRare66–84 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Dec- Rough-legged HawkButeo lagopusWinter visitorRare46–59 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.03% in Dec
GreenshankTringa nebulariaSummer visitorCommon30–35 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.03% in Dec
Common LoonGavia immerWinter visitorRare66–91 cmRegularly Nov–Feb · 0.03% in Dec
Grey PartridgePerdix perdixResidentUncommon28–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Dec- DipperCinclus cinclusPassage migrantRare17–20 cmRegularly Aug–Jan · 0.02% in Dec
Black RedstartPhoenicurus ochrurosSummer visitorUncommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Dec
Little OwlAthene noctuaResidentUncommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Dec
Red-necked GrebePodiceps grisegenaResidentRare40–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Dec
Grey PhalaropePhalaropus fulicariusPassage migrantRare20–22 cmRegularly May–Jan · 0.02% in Dec
Ruddy DuckOxyura jamaicensisResidentRare35–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Dec
Snow GooseAnser caerulescensWinter visitorRare69–84 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.02% in Dec
Barn OwlTyto albaResidentRare33–39 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Dec
Glaucous GullLarus hyperboreusWinter visitorRare62–68 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.02% in Dec
Short-eared OwlAsio flammeusWinter visitorRare34–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Dec
Eurasian BitternBotaurus stellarisSummer visitorUncommon69–81 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Dec
Jack SnipeLymnocryptes minimusWinter visitorRare17–19 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.02% in Dec
WoodlarkLullula arboreaResidentUncommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Dec
Common CraneGrus grusResidentUncommon100–130 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Dec
Wood DuckAix sponsaWinter visitorRare47–54 cmRegularly Sep–Jun · 0.02% in Dec
Cackling GooseBranta hutchinsiiWinter visitorRare53–76 cmRegularly Dec–Aug · 0.02% in Dec
Lapland LongspurCalcarius lapponicusWinter visitorRare15–16 cmRegularly Sep–Feb · 0.02% in Dec
Little AukAlle allePassage migrantRare18–21 cmRegularly Nov–Dec · 0.01% in Dec
Ruddy ShelduckTadorna ferrugineaSummer visitorUncommon58–70 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Dec
Hooded CrowCorvus cornixWinter visitorRare44–51 cmRegularly Oct–Jun · 0.01% in Dec
Swan GooseAnser cygnoidesWinter visitorRare81–94 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.01% in Dec
Arctic TernSterna paradisaeaSummer visitorUncommon33–39 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.01% in Dec
TreecreeperCerthia familiarisWinter visitorRare12–14 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.01% in Dec
Glossy IbisPlegadis falcinellusSummer visitorRare48–66 cmRegularly Apr–Feb · 0.01% in Dec
Hooded MerganserLophodytes cucullatusWinter visitorRare40–49 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.01% in Dec
Black-crowned Night-heronNycticorax nycticoraxResidentRare58–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Dec
Red KiteMilvus milvusSummer visitorUncommon60–66 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Dec
Corn BuntingEmberiza calandraWinter visitorRare16–19 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.00% in Dec
SerinSerinus serinusWinter visitorRare11–12 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.00% in Dec
Parrot CrossbillLoxia pytyopsittacusScarceRare16–18 cmRegularly Dec · 0.00% in Dec
Pied CrowCorvus albusPassage migrantRare46–52 cmRegularly 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