Birds to See in California in December
184 bird species on our list for California are recorded regularly in December
Of these, the most often recorded are Yellow-rumped Warbler, White-crowned Sparrow, House Finch, American Crow and Ruby-crowned Kinglet. New this month: Chestnut-sided Warbler, Broad-winged Hawk, King Eider and Least Flycatcher and 3 more.
On the move in December
GBIF · DecArriving
At their peak
Yellow-rumped WarblerBusiest month of the year · All year
Ruby-crowned KingletBusiest month of the year · Sep–Apr
Say's PhoebeBusiest month of the year · All year
Hermit ThrushBusiest month of the year · Sep–Jul
MerlinBusiest month of the year · Sep–Apr
Sharp-shinned HawkBusiest month of the year · All year
From California’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 184 birds in December
184 birds
- Yellow-rumped WarblerSetophaga coronataWinter visitorCommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 2.84% in Dec
White-crowned SparrowZonotrichia leucophrysWinter visitorCommon15–16 cmRecorded all year · 2.68% in Dec
House FinchHaemorhous mexicanusResidentCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 2.37% in Dec
American CrowCorvus brachyrhynchosResidentCommon41–53 cmRecorded all year · 2.31% in Dec- Ruby-crowned KingletCorthylio calendulaWinter visitorCommon9–11 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 1.97% in Dec
Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensisResidentCommon45–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.74% in Dec
Common RavenCorvus coraxResidentCommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 1.74% in Dec
Song SparrowMelospiza melodiaResidentCommon12–17 cmRecorded all year · 1.49% in Dec
Mourning DoveZenaida macrouraResidentCommon23–34 cmRecorded all year · 1.39% in Dec
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.38% in Dec
Turkey VultureCathartes auraResidentCommon62–81 cmRecorded all year · 1.30% in Dec
Northern FlickerColaptes auratusResidentCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 1.29% in Dec
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.21% in Dec
Great White EgretArdea albaResidentCommon80–104 cmRecorded all year · 1.05% in Dec
Nuttall's WoodpeckerDryobates nuttalliiResidentCommon17–18 cmRecorded all year · 1.05% in Dec- Say's PhoebeSayornis sayaWinter visitorCommon17–20 cmRecorded all year · 1.02% in Dec
Northern MockingbirdMimus polyglottosResidentCommon21–26 cmRecorded all year · 1.02% in Dec
American RobinTurdus migratoriusResidentCommon20–28 cmRecorded all year · 0.97% in Dec
Acorn WoodpeckerMelanerpes formicivorusResidentCommon20–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.92% in Dec
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 0.92% in Dec- Hermit ThrushCatharus guttatusWinter visitorCommon14–18 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 0.91% in Dec
Great Blue HeronArdea herodiasResidentCommon91–137 cmRecorded all year · 0.89% in Dec
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 0.80% in Dec
Pied-billed GrebePodilymbus podicepsResidentCommon31–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.77% in Dec
Ruddy DuckOxyura jamaicensisResidentCommon35–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.72% in Dec
Ring-billed GullLarus delawarensisWinter visitorCommon43–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.71% in Dec
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataWinter visitorCommon44–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.63% in Dec
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.63% in Dec
Orange-crowned WarblerLeiothlypis celataResidentCommon11–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.62% in Dec
Western MeadowlarkSturnella neglectaResidentCommon16–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.60% in Dec
Common YellowthroatGeothlypis trichasResidentCommon11–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.59% in Dec
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentCommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.58% in Dec
Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceusResidentCommon17–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.58% in Dec
White-breasted NuthatchSitta carolinensisResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.57% in Dec
Cedar WaxwingBombycilla cedrorumResidentCommon15–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.46% in Dec
Eurasian TealAnas creccaWinter visitorCommon34–38 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 0.45% in Dec
GadwallMareca streperaResidentCommon46–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.44% in Dec
Fox SparrowPasserella iliacaResidentUncommon15–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.44% in Dec
Lincoln's SparrowMelospiza lincolniiWinter visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Jun–Apr · 0.43% in Dec
Greater YellowlegsTringa melanoleucaResidentCommon29–40 cmRecorded all year · 0.41% in Dec
Least SandpiperCalidris minutillaWinter visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.41% in Dec
Black-necked GrebePodiceps nigricollisWinter visitorUncommon28–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.40% in Dec
GoldeneyeBucephala clangulaWinter visitorUncommon40–51 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.39% in Dec
WilletTringa semipalmataResidentCommon33–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.38% in Dec
Surf ScoterMelanitta perspicillataResidentUncommon48–60 cmRecorded all year · 0.36% in Dec
Black-crowned Night-heronNycticorax nycticoraxResidentCommon58–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.34% in Dec
Northern PintailAnas acutaWinter visitorUncommon59–76 cmRecorded all year · 0.34% in Dec
Downy WoodpeckerDryobates pubescensResidentCommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.33% in Dec
American Herring GullLarus smithsonianusWinter visitorUncommon53–65 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.30% in Dec
Marbled GodwitLimosa fedoaResidentUncommon40–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.29% in Dec
Marsh WrenCistothorus palustrisResidentUncommon10–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.27% in Dec
OspreyPandion haliaetusResidentCommon54–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.27% in Dec
Pine SiskinSpinus pinusResidentUncommon11–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.27% in Dec
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaResidentUncommon27–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.24% in Dec
Hairy WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus villosusResidentUncommon18–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.23% in Dec
Great Horned OwlBubo virginianusResidentUncommon46–63 cmRecorded all year · 0.23% in Dec
American AvocetRecurvirostra americanaResidentUncommon43–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.23% in Dec
Cinnamon TealSpatula cyanopteraResidentUncommon36–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.22% in Dec
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusResidentUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.21% in Dec
WhimbrelNumenius phaeopusResidentUncommon40–46 cmRecorded all year · 0.21% in Dec
Hooded MerganserLophodytes cucullatusWinter visitorUncommon40–49 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.19% in Dec
Greater White-fronted GooseAnser albifronsWinter visitorUncommon64–81 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.19% in Dec
Snow GooseAnser caerulescensWinter visitorUncommon69–84 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.18% in Dec
Horned GrebePodiceps auritusWinter visitorUncommon31–38 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.18% in Dec
Red-breasted SapsuckerSphyrapicus ruberResidentUncommon19–22 cmRecorded all year · 0.17% in Dec
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serratorWinter visitorUncommon52–58 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.17% in Dec
Common LoonGavia immerResidentUncommon66–91 cmRecorded all year · 0.17% in Dec
Bald EagleHaliaeetus leucocephalusResidentUncommon70–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.17% in Dec- MerlinFalco columbariusWinter visitorUncommon24–33 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.17% in Dec
Western SandpiperCalidris mauriWinter visitorCommon14–17 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.16% in Dec
DunlinCalidris alpinaWinter visitorUncommon16–22 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.16% in Dec- Sharp-shinned HawkAccipiter striatusWinter visitorUncommon24–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in Dec
Long-billed DowitcherLimnodromus scolopaceusWinter visitorUncommon27–30 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.16% in Dec
Common MerganserMergus merganserResidentUncommon58–68 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in Dec
SanderlingCalidris albaWinter visitorUncommon18–20 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.15% in Dec
Scaly-breasted MuniaLonchura punctulataResidentUncommon11–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in Dec
Greater ScaupAythya marilaWinter visitorUncommon39–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in Dec
Lark SparrowChondestes grammacusResidentUncommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in Dec
Cackling GooseBranta hutchinsiiWinter visitorUncommon53–76 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.13% in Dec
Wild TurkeyMeleagris gallopavoResidentUncommon100–125 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Dec
Red-throated LoonGavia stellataWinter visitorUncommon53–69 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Dec
Forster's TernSterna forsteriResidentUncommon33–36 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Dec
Horned LarkEremophila alpestrisResidentUncommon16–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Dec
Bonaparte's GullChroicocephalus philadelphiaWinter visitorUncommon28–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Dec
Pacific LoonGavia pacificaResidentUncommon58–74 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Dec
Wood DuckAix sponsaResidentUncommon47–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Dec
Brent GooseBranta berniclaWinter visitorUncommon55–66 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Dec
Virginia RailRallus limicolaResidentUncommon20–27 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Dec
Chipping SparrowSpizella passerinaResidentUncommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Dec
Iceland GullLarus glaucoidesWinter visitorUncommon52–60 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.08% in Dec
Semipalmated PloverCharadrius semipalmatusWinter visitorUncommon17–19 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.08% in Dec
Sandhill CraneAntigone canadensisResidentUncommon80–122 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Dec
Varied ThrushIxoreus naeviusWinter visitorUncommon20–26 cmRegularly Oct–Jul · 0.08% in Dec
Golden EagleAquila chrysaetosResidentUncommon66–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Dec
Burrowing OwlAthene cuniculariaWinter visitorUncommon19–25 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Dec
Tundra SwanCygnus columbianusWinter visitorUncommon120–150 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.07% in Dec
Pacific WrenTroglodytes pacificusResidentUncommon8–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Dec
Egyptian GooseAlopochen aegyptiacaResidentUncommon63–73 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Dec
Mountain BluebirdSialia currucoidesResidentUncommon15–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Dec
Ross's GooseAnser rossiiWinter visitorUncommon57–64 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.05% in Dec
California GnatcatcherPolioptila californicaResidentUncommon10–11 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Dec
FulmarFulmarus glacialisResidentUncommon45–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Dec
Greater RoadrunnerGeococcyx californianusResidentUncommon52–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Dec
Mute SwanCygnus olorResidentUncommon140–160 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Dec
Eurasian WigeonMareca penelopeWinter visitorUncommon42–51 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.04% in Dec
Lewis's WoodpeckerMelanerpes lewisResidentUncommon26–28 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Dec
Muscovy DuckCairina moschataResidentRare66–84 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Dec
Ladder-backed WoodpeckerDryobates scalarisResidentRare16–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Dec
Red-necked GrebePodiceps grisegenaWinter visitorRare40–50 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 0.03% in Dec
Cattle EgretArdea ibisResidentRare46–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Dec
Short-billed DowitcherLimnodromus griseusSummer visitorUncommon23–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Dec
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresWinter visitorUncommon21–24 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.03% in Dec
Pileated WoodpeckerDryocopus pileatusResidentUncommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Dec
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusResidentRare50–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Dec
Vesper SparrowPooecetes gramineusResidentRare13–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Dec
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraResidentUncommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Dec
Western Screech-owlMegascops kennicottiiResidentRare19–25 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Dec
Swamp SparrowMelospiza georgianaWinter visitorRare12–15 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.02% in Dec
White-winged DoveZenaida asiaticaResidentUncommon27–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Dec
Long-tailed DuckClangula hyemalisWinter visitorRare37–60 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Dec
Lesser YellowlegsTringa flavipesWinter visitorUncommon23–27 cmRegularly Jul–Apr · 0.02% in Dec
White-headed WoodpeckerPicoides albolarvatusSummer visitorUncommon20–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Dec
American BitternBotaurus lentiginosusResidentRare58–85 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Dec
Rough-legged HawkButeo lagopusWinter visitorRare46–59 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.02% in Dec
Red-naped SapsuckerSphyrapicus nuchalisWinter visitorRare19–21 cmRegularly Jul–Apr · 0.02% in Dec
Indian PeafowlPavo cristatusResidentRare86–230 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Dec
Short-eared OwlAsio flammeusWinter visitorRare34–43 cmRegularly Oct–Jun · 0.01% in Dec
Nashville WarblerLeiothlypis ruficapillaSummer visitorUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 0.01% in Dec
Grey PhalaropePhalaropus fulicariusWinter visitorUncommon20–22 cmRegularly Apr–Feb · 0.01% in Dec
Pomarine JaegerStercorarius pomarinusPassage migrantUncommon46–51 cmRegularly Feb–Dec · 0.01% in Dec
Red KnotCalidris canutusResidentRare23–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Dec
Yellow-bellied SapsuckerSphyrapicus variusWinter visitorRare19–22 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.01% in Dec
Palm WarblerSetophaga palmarumWinter visitorRare12–14 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.01% in Dec
KittiwakeRissa tridactylaWinter visitorRare37–41 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.01% in Dec
California CondorGymnogyps californianusResidentRare109–140 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Dec
Greylag GooseAnser anserResidentRare75–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Dec
Northern Saw-whet OwlAegolius acadicusResidentRare17–21 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Dec
Northern Pygmy-owlGlaucidium gnomaResidentRare15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Dec
King EiderSomateria spectabilisPassage migrantRare46–64 cmRegularly Dec · 0.01% in Dec
Pacific Golden-PloverPluvialis fulvaWinter visitorRare23–26 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.01% in Dec
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusWinter visitorRare52–64 cmRegularly Jul–Apr · 0.01% in Dec
Lapland LongspurCalcarius lapponicusWinter visitorRare15–16 cmRegularly Sep–Mar · 0.01% in Dec
Evening GrosbeakHesperiphona vespertinaSummer visitorRare16–22 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Dec
Clay-colored SparrowSpizella pallidaWinter visitorRare13–15 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.01% in Dec
Tennessee WarblerLeiothlypis peregrinaWinter visitorRare10–13 cmRegularly Sep–Jun · 0.01% in Dec
Glaucous GullLarus hyperboreusWinter visitorRare62–68 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.01% in Dec
Swan GooseAnser cygnoidesResidentRare81–94 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Dec
Bay-breasted WarblerSetophaga castaneaPassage migrantRare14–14 cmRegularly May–Dec · 0.01% in Dec
Williamson's SapsuckerSphyrapicus thyroideusSummer visitorRare21–25 cmRegularly May–Feb · 0.01% in Dec
Mandarin DuckAix galericulataWinter visitorRare41–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Dec
American RedstartSetophaga ruticillaSummer visitorRare11–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Dec
Northern GannetMorus bassanusSummer visitorRare87–100 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Dec
Franklin's GullLeucophaeus pipixcanSummer visitorRare32–36 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.00% in Dec
Curlew SandpiperCalidris ferrugineaPassage migrantRare18–23 cmRegularly Sep–Dec · 0.00% in Dec
Trumpeter SwanCygnus buccinatorWinter visitorRare139–157 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.00% in Dec
Scissor-tailed FlycatcherTyrannus forficatusWinter visitorRare28–38 cmRegularly Oct–Jun · 0.00% in Dec
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundusPassage migrantRare38–44 cmRegularly Dec–Mar · 0.00% in Dec
Black-throated Green WarblerSetophaga virensWinter visitorRare11–12 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.00% in Dec
Gila WoodpeckerMelanerpes uropygialisResidentRare20–25 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Dec
Northern WaterthrushParkesia noveboracensisWinter visitorRare12–15 cmRegularly May–Feb · 0.00% in Dec
Chestnut-sided WarblerSetophaga pensylvanicaWinter visitorRare10–14 cmRegularly Jun–Mar · 0.00% in Dec
Tufted DuckAythya fuligulaWinter visitorRare40–47 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.00% in Dec
Rose-breasted GrosbeakPheucticus ludovicianusSummer visitorRare18–22 cmRegularly May–Mar · 0.00% in Dec
Rose-ringed ParakeetPsittacula krameriResidentRare38–42 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Dec
Pied WagtailMotacilla albaPassage migrantRare17–19 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.00% in Dec
Baltimore OrioleIcterus galbulaWinter visitorRare17–19 cmRegularly Sep–Jun · 0.00% in Dec
Gray CatbirdDumetella carolinensisResidentRare20–24 cmRegularly May–Mar · 0.00% in Dec
GarganeySpatula querquedulaPassage migrantRare37–41 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.00% in Dec
RuffCalidris pugnaxWinter visitorRare20–32 cmRegularly Jul–Mar · 0.00% in Dec
Painted BuntingPasserina cirisPassage migrantRare12–14 cmRegularly Aug–Dec · 0.00% in Dec
Least FlycatcherEmpidonax minimusPassage migrantRare12–14 cmRegularly Jun–Mar · 0.00% in Dec
Little StintCalidris minutaPassage migrantRare13–15 cmRegularly Jul–Apr · 0.00% in Dec
Scarlet TanagerPiranga olivaceaPassage migrantRare16–19 cmRegularly Jun–Dec · 0.00% in Dec
ChukarAlectoris chukarResidentRare32–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Dec
OvenbirdSeiurus aurocapillaSummer visitorRare12–15 cmRegularly May–Feb · 0.00% in Dec
Barred OwlStrix variaResidentRare43–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Dec
Cape May WarblerSetophaga tigrinaWinter visitorRare12–14 cmRegularly Oct–Jun · 0.00% in Dec
Vega GullLarus vegaeWinter visitorRare55–67 cmRegularly Dec–Mar · 0.00% in Dec
Stilt SandpiperCalidris himantopusWinter visitorRare18–23 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.00% in Dec
American Tree SparrowSpizelloides arboreaWinter visitorRare14–17 cmRegularly Oct–Feb · 0.00% in Dec
Broad-winged HawkButeo platypterusPassage migrantRare34–44 cmRegularly May–Jan · 0.00% in Dec
Manx ShearwaterPuffinus puffinusSummer visitorRare30–38 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.00% in Dec
European GoldfinchCarduelis carduelisResidentRare12–13 cmRegularly Nov–Sep · 0.00% in Dec
BudgerigarMelopsittacus undulatusSummer visitorRare18–20 cmRegularly Apr–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