Birds to See in Florida in December
167 bird species on our list for Florida are recorded regularly in December
Of these, the most often recorded are Palm Warbler, Turkey Vulture, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Great White Egret and Yellow-rumped Warbler. New this month: Short-eared Owl, Iceland Gull, Eider and Glaucous Gull and 2 more.
On the move in December
GBIF · DecArriving
At their peak
Pied-billed GrebeBusiest month of the year · All year
Ruby-crowned KingletBusiest month of the year · Oct–Apr
Swamp SparrowBusiest month of the year · Oct–Apr
Yellow-bellied SapsuckerBusiest month of the year · Oct–Mar
Hooded MerganserBusiest month of the year · Nov–Mar
Orange-crowned WarblerBusiest month of the year · Oct–Mar
From Florida’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 167 birds in December
167 birds
Palm WarblerSetophaga palmarumWinter visitorCommon12–14 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 2.73% in Dec
Turkey VultureCathartes auraResidentCommon62–81 cmRecorded all year · 2.63% in Dec
Red-bellied WoodpeckerMelanerpes carolinusResidentCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 2.31% in Dec
Great White EgretArdea albaResidentCommon80–104 cmRecorded all year · 2.21% in Dec
Yellow-rumped WarblerSetophaga coronataWinter visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 2.12% in Dec
Northern CardinalCardinalis cardinalisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 2.03% in Dec
Northern MockingbirdMimus polyglottosResidentCommon21–26 cmRecorded all year · 1.94% in Dec
Mourning DoveZenaida macrouraResidentCommon23–34 cmRecorded all year · 1.91% in Dec
Great Blue HeronArdea herodiasResidentCommon91–137 cmRecorded all year · 1.88% in Dec
OspreyPandion haliaetusResidentCommon54–58 cmRecorded all year · 1.77% in Dec
Blue JayCyanocitta cristataResidentCommon25–30 cmRecorded all year · 1.74% in Dec
Gray CatbirdDumetella carolinensisWinter visitorCommon20–24 cmRegularly Sep–May · 1.42% in Dec
Fish CrowCorvus ossifragusResidentCommon36–41 cmRecorded all year · 1.29% in Dec
American CrowCorvus brachyrhynchosResidentCommon41–53 cmRecorded all year · 1.28% in Dec
Common GrackleQuiscalus quisculaResidentCommon28–34 cmRecorded all year · 1.09% in Dec
Downy WoodpeckerDryobates pubescensResidentCommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 1.08% in Dec- Pied-billed GrebePodilymbus podicepsWinter visitorCommon31–38 cmRecorded all year · 1.05% in Dec
Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceusResidentCommon17–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.02% in Dec
Tufted TitmouseBaeolophus bicolorResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 1.00% in Dec
Ring-billed GullLarus delawarensisWinter visitorCommon43–54 cmRegularly Oct–Jul · 0.98% in Dec
Bald EagleHaliaeetus leucocephalusWinter visitorCommon70–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.90% in Dec- Ruby-crowned KingletCorthylio calendulaWinter visitorCommon9–11 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.81% in Dec
Common YellowthroatGeothlypis trichasResidentCommon11–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.80% in Dec
Cattle EgretArdea ibisResidentCommon46–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.79% in Dec
Sandhill CraneAntigone canadensisResidentCommon80–122 cmRecorded all year · 0.78% in Dec
Pileated WoodpeckerDryocopus pileatusResidentCommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.76% in Dec
American RobinTurdus migratoriusWinter visitorCommon20–28 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.71% in Dec
Glossy IbisPlegadis falcinellusResidentCommon48–66 cmRecorded all year · 0.69% in Dec
Eastern BluebirdSialia sialisResidentCommon16–21 cmRecorded all year · 0.60% in Dec
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.59% in Dec
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentCommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.50% in Dec- Swamp SparrowMelospiza georgianaWinter visitorUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.47% in Dec
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 0.46% in Dec- Yellow-bellied SapsuckerSphyrapicus variusWinter visitorUncommon19–22 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.44% in Dec
WilletTringa semipalmataResidentCommon33–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.42% in Dec
Forster's TernSterna forsteriWinter visitorCommon33–36 cmRecorded all year · 0.41% in Dec
SanderlingCalidris albaResidentCommon18–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.41% in Dec
Greater YellowlegsTringa melanoleucaResidentUncommon29–40 cmRecorded all year · 0.39% in Dec- Hooded MerganserLophodytes cucullatusWinter visitorUncommon40–49 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.38% in Dec
Muscovy DuckCairina moschataResidentUncommon66–84 cmRecorded all year · 0.36% in Dec
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresResidentCommon21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.36% in Dec- Orange-crowned WarblerLeiothlypis celataWinter visitorUncommon11–14 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.36% in Dec
Blue-headed VireoVireo solitariusWinter visitorUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.36% in Dec
Chipping SparrowSpizella passerinaWinter visitorUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.34% in Dec
House FinchHaemorhous mexicanusResidentCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.31% in Dec
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaResidentUncommon27–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.30% in Dec
Black-crowned Night-heronNycticorax nycticoraxResidentUncommon58–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.29% in Dec
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentUncommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.28% in Dec
Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensisResidentUncommon45–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.27% in Dec
American Herring GullLarus smithsonianusWinter visitorUncommon53–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.26% in Dec
Least SandpiperCalidris minutillaResidentCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.25% in Dec
Northern FlickerColaptes auratusResidentUncommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 0.24% in Dec
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.21% in Dec
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serratorWinter visitorUncommon52–58 cmRegularly Nov–Jun · 0.21% in Dec
DunlinCalidris alpinaWinter visitorUncommon16–22 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.21% in Dec
Ruby-throated HummingbirdArchilochus colubrisResidentCommon7–9 cmRecorded all year · 0.19% in Dec
Marsh WrenCistothorus palustrisWinter visitorUncommon10–14 cmRegularly Oct–Jul · 0.19% in Dec
Barred OwlStrix variaResidentUncommon43–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.18% in Dec
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataWinter visitorUncommon44–51 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.18% in Dec
Lesser YellowlegsTringa flavipesResidentUncommon23–27 cmRecorded all year · 0.17% in Dec
Common LoonGavia immerWinter visitorUncommon66–91 cmRegularly Nov–Jun · 0.17% in Dec
Semipalmated PloverCharadrius semipalmatusResidentUncommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.17% in Dec
Sandwich TernThalasseus sandvicensisSummer visitorCommon36–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.17% in Dec
Eurasian TealAnas creccaWinter visitorUncommon34–38 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.16% in Dec
Cedar WaxwingBombycilla cedrorumWinter visitorUncommon15–18 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.15% in Dec
Hermit ThrushCatharus guttatusWinter visitorUncommon14–18 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.15% in Dec
Wood DuckAix sponsaResidentUncommon47–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in Dec
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusWinter visitorUncommon52–64 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in Dec
White-winged DoveZenaida asiaticaResidentUncommon27–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Dec
Great Horned OwlBubo virginianusResidentUncommon46–63 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Dec
Ruddy DuckOxyura jamaicensisWinter visitorUncommon35–43 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.13% in Dec
Great Crested FlycatcherMyiarchus crinitusSummer visitorCommon17–22 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Dec
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentUncommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Dec
Egyptian GooseAlopochen aegyptiacaResidentUncommon63–73 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Dec
Monk ParakeetMyiopsitta monachusResidentUncommon29–31 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Dec
American RedstartSetophaga ruticillaWinter visitorCommon11–14 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.11% in Dec
Song SparrowMelospiza melodiaWinter visitorUncommon12–17 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.11% in Dec
MerlinFalco columbariusWinter visitorUncommon24–33 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.11% in Dec
Short-billed DowitcherLimnodromus griseusResidentUncommon23–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in Dec
Bonaparte's GullChroicocephalus philadelphiaWinter visitorUncommon28–38 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.11% in Dec
Red-headed WoodpeckerMelanerpes erythrocephalusResidentUncommon19–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Dec
Wild TurkeyMeleagris gallopavoResidentUncommon100–125 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Dec
GadwallMareca streperaWinter visitorUncommon46–56 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.09% in Dec
Baltimore OrioleIcterus galbulaWinter visitorUncommon17–19 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.09% in Dec
Northern GannetMorus bassanusWinter visitorUncommon87–100 cmRegularly Oct–Jun · 0.08% in Dec
Horned GrebePodiceps auritusWinter visitorUncommon31–38 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.08% in Dec
OvenbirdSeiurus aurocapillaWinter visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.08% in Dec
Long-billed DowitcherLimnodromus scolopaceusWinter visitorUncommon27–30 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.08% in Dec
Sharp-shinned HawkAccipiter striatusWinter visitorUncommon24–34 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.08% in Dec
American BitternBotaurus lentiginosusWinter visitorUncommon58–85 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.08% in Dec
Western SandpiperCalidris mauriResidentUncommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Dec
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusWinter visitorUncommon34–58 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.07% in Dec
Northern PintailAnas acutaWinter visitorUncommon59–76 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.07% in Dec
Fulvous Whistling-DuckDendrocygna bicolorResidentUncommon45–53 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Dec
Red KnotCalidris canutusResidentUncommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Dec
Northern WaterthrushParkesia noveboracensisWinter visitorUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.06% in Dec
American AvocetRecurvirostra americanaResidentUncommon43–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Dec
Piping PloverCharadrius melodusWinter visitorUncommon17–18 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.05% in Dec
Marbled GodwitLimosa fedoaResidentUncommon40–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Dec
Eastern Screech-owlMegascops asioResidentUncommon16–25 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Dec
Western KingbirdTyrannus verticalisWinter visitorRare20–24 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.05% in Dec
Virginia RailRallus limicolaWinter visitorRare20–27 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.04% in Dec
Red JunglefowlGallus gallusResidentUncommon42–75 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Dec
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinusWinter visitorUncommon64–79 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Dec
Greater ScaupAythya marilaWinter visitorRare39–56 cmRegularly Nov–Jun · 0.04% in Dec
Black-throated Green WarblerSetophaga virensWinter visitorUncommon11–12 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.04% in Dec
Scissor-tailed FlycatcherTyrannus forficatusWinter visitorRare28–38 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.04% in Dec
Black-throated Blue WarblerSetophaga caerulescensPassage migrantCommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.03% in Dec
Vesper SparrowPooecetes gramineusWinter visitorRare13–17 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.03% in Dec
Indian PeafowlPavo cristatusResidentUncommon86–230 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Dec
Snow GooseAnser caerulescensWinter visitorRare69–84 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.03% in Dec
Broad-winged HawkButeo platypterusWinter visitorUncommon34–44 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Dec
Burrowing OwlAthene cuniculariaResidentUncommon19–25 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Dec
White-crowned SparrowZonotrichia leucophrysWinter visitorRare15–16 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.02% in Dec
Red-cockaded WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus borealisResidentRare20–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Dec
Magnolia WarblerSetophaga magnoliaPassage migrantUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.02% in Dec
Surf ScoterMelanitta perspicillataWinter visitorRare48–60 cmRegularly Nov–Jun · 0.02% in Dec
White-breasted NuthatchSitta carolinensisResidentRare13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Dec
GoldeneyeBucephala clangulaWinter visitorRare40–51 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.02% in Dec
Scaly-breasted MuniaLonchura punctulataResidentRare11–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Dec
Least FlycatcherEmpidonax minimusWinter visitorRare12–14 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.02% in Dec
Mute SwanCygnus olorResidentRare140–160 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Dec
Long-tailed DuckClangula hyemalisWinter visitorRare37–60 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.01% in Dec
Hairy WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus villosusResidentRare18–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Dec
Solitary SandpiperTringa solitariaWinter visitorUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.01% in Dec
Common TernSterna hirundoSummer visitorUncommon31–35 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.01% in Dec
Purple SandpiperCalidris maritimaWinter visitorRare20–22 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.01% in Dec
Greylag GooseAnser anserResidentRare75–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Dec
Franklin's GullLeucophaeus pipixcanPassage migrantRare32–36 cmRegularly Oct–Jan · 0.01% in Dec
Stilt SandpiperCalidris himantopusWinter visitorUncommon18–23 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.01% in Dec
Lincoln's SparrowMelospiza lincolniiWinter visitorRare13–15 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.01% in Dec
Cinnamon TealSpatula cyanopteraWinter visitorRare36–43 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.01% in Dec
Swan GooseAnser cygnoidesResidentRare81–94 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Dec
Arctic JaegerStercorarius parasiticusWinter visitorRare41–46 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 0.01% in Dec
Pine SiskinSpinus pinusWinter visitorRare11–14 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.01% in Dec
WhimbrelNumenius phaeopusSummer visitorRare40–46 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Dec
Nashville WarblerLeiothlypis ruficapillaWinter visitorRare11–13 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.01% in Dec
Black-necked GrebePodiceps nigricollisPassage migrantRare28–34 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.01% in Dec
Pomarine JaegerStercorarius pomarinusResidentRare46–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Dec
American Golden-PloverPluvialis dominicaWinter visitorRare24–28 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.01% in Dec
Short-eared OwlAsio flammeusWinter visitorRare34–43 cmRegularly Dec–Apr · 0.01% in Dec
American Black DuckAnas rubripesWinter visitorRare54–59 cmRegularly Nov–Feb · 0.00% in Dec
Clay-colored SparrowSpizella pallidaWinter visitorRare13–15 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.00% in Dec
Black SwanCygnus atratusResidentRare110–142 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Dec
Greater White-fronted GooseAnser albifronsWinter visitorRare64–81 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.00% in Dec
Lark SparrowChondestes grammacusWinter visitorRare15–17 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.00% in Dec
EiderSomateria mollissimaWinter visitorRare50–71 cmRegularly Dec–Jun · 0.00% in Dec
Great CormorantPhalacrocorax carboPassage migrantRare80–100 cmRegularly Nov–Dec · 0.00% in Dec
KittiwakeRissa tridactylaPassage migrantRare37–41 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.00% in Dec
Helmeted GuineafowlNumida meleagrisResidentRare53–63 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Dec
Rose-ringed ParakeetPsittacula krameriResidentRare38–42 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Dec
Red-throated LoonGavia stellataWinter visitorRare53–69 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.00% in Dec
Ross's GooseAnser rossiiWinter visitorRare57–64 cmRegularly Nov–Feb · 0.00% in Dec
Ruddy ShelduckTadorna ferrugineaWinter visitorRare58–70 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 0.00% in Dec
DickcisselSpiza americanaWinter visitorRare14–16 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.00% in Dec
Great ShearwaterArdenna gravisPassage migrantRare43–51 cmRegularly Jun–Dec · 0.00% in Dec
Lapland LongspurCalcarius lapponicusPassage migrantRare15–16 cmRegularly Oct–Dec · 0.00% in Dec
Horned LarkEremophila alpestrisWinter visitorRare16–20 cmRegularly Dec–May · 0.00% in Dec
Trumpeter SwanCygnus buccinatorWinter visitorRare139–157 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.00% in Dec
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusWinter visitorRare50–90 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.00% in Dec
Sooty ShearwaterArdenna griseaPassage migrantRare40–51 cmRegularly May–Dec · 0.00% in Dec
Pacific LoonGavia pacificaWinter visitorRare58–74 cmRegularly Dec–Jun · 0.00% in Dec
Bar-headed GooseAnser indicusScarceRare68–78 cmRegularly Oct–Dec · 0.00% in Dec
CockatielNymphicus hollandicusResidentRare30–33 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Dec
Iceland GullLarus glaucoidesWinter visitorRare52–60 cmRegularly Dec–Apr · 0.00% in Dec
BudgerigarMelopsittacus undulatusSummer visitorRare18–20 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.00% in Dec
Glaucous GullLarus hyperboreusPassage migrantRare62–68 cmRegularly Dec–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