Birds to See in Pennsylvania in December
113 bird species on our list for Pennsylvania are recorded regularly in December
Of these, the most often recorded are Northern Cardinal, Blue Jay, American Crow, Downy Woodpecker and Red-bellied Woodpecker. New this month: Painted Bunting, Snowy Owl, Barnacle Goose and Glaucous Gull and 2 more.
On the move in December
GBIF · DecArriving
At their peak
Yellow-bellied SapsuckerBusiest month of the year · All year
American Tree SparrowBusiest month of the year · Nov–Mar
Great Horned OwlBusiest month of the year · All year
Eastern Screech-owlBusiest month of the year · All year
Greater White-fronted GooseBusiest month of the year · Oct–Mar
Ross's GooseBusiest month of the year · Nov–Mar
From Pennsylvania’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 113 birds in December
113 birds
Northern CardinalCardinalis cardinalisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 4.59% in Dec
Blue JayCyanocitta cristataResidentCommon25–30 cmRecorded all year · 4.05% in Dec
American CrowCorvus brachyrhynchosResidentCommon41–53 cmRecorded all year · 4.03% in Dec
Downy WoodpeckerDryobates pubescensResidentCommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 3.74% in Dec
Red-bellied WoodpeckerMelanerpes carolinusResidentCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 3.60% in Dec
White-breasted NuthatchSitta carolinensisResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 3.51% in Dec
Tufted TitmouseBaeolophus bicolorResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 3.36% in Dec
Song SparrowMelospiza melodiaResidentCommon12–17 cmRecorded all year · 3.09% in Dec
Mourning DoveZenaida macrouraResidentCommon23–34 cmRecorded all year · 3.03% in Dec
House FinchHaemorhous mexicanusResidentCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 2.88% in Dec
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 2.81% in Dec
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 2.64% in Dec
American RobinTurdus migratoriusResidentCommon20–28 cmRecorded all year · 2.17% in Dec
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 2.07% in Dec
Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensisResidentCommon45–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.90% in Dec
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.89% in Dec
Eastern BluebirdSialia sialisResidentCommon16–21 cmRecorded all year · 1.69% in Dec
Hairy WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus villosusResidentCommon18–26 cmRecorded all year · 1.59% in Dec
Northern FlickerColaptes auratusResidentCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 1.43% in Dec
Turkey VultureCathartes auraResidentCommon62–81 cmRecorded all year · 1.40% in Dec
Northern MockingbirdMimus polyglottosResidentCommon21–26 cmRecorded all year · 1.28% in Dec
Bald EagleHaliaeetus leucocephalusResidentCommon70–102 cmRecorded all year · 1.01% in Dec
Ring-billed GullLarus delawarensisWinter visitorCommon43–54 cmRecorded all year · 1.01% in Dec
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 0.95% in Dec
Great Blue HeronArdea herodiasResidentCommon91–137 cmRecorded all year · 0.95% in Dec
Pileated WoodpeckerDryocopus pileatusResidentCommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.80% in Dec- Yellow-bellied SapsuckerSphyrapicus variusWinter visitorCommon19–22 cmRecorded all year · 0.76% in Dec
Common MerganserMergus merganserWinter visitorCommon58–68 cmRecorded all year · 0.75% in Dec
Common RavenCorvus coraxResidentCommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.63% in Dec
Hooded MerganserLophodytes cucullatusWinter visitorCommon40–49 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.60% in Dec
American Black DuckAnas rubripesWinter visitorCommon54–59 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.49% in Dec
Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceusResidentCommon17–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.48% in Dec- American Tree SparrowSpizelloides arboreaWinter visitorUncommon14–17 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.47% in Dec
Hermit ThrushCatharus guttatusResidentUncommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.39% in Dec
Ruby-crowned KingletCorthylio calendulaWinter visitorCommon9–11 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.38% in Dec
American Herring GullLarus smithsonianusWinter visitorCommon53–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.38% in Dec
Swamp SparrowMelospiza georgianaResidentCommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.36% in Dec
Ruddy DuckOxyura jamaicensisWinter visitorCommon35–43 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.35% in Dec
Cedar WaxwingBombycilla cedrorumSummer visitorCommon15–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.33% in Dec
GadwallMareca streperaWinter visitorUncommon46–56 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.26% in Dec
Fish CrowCorvus ossifragusResidentCommon36–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.26% in Dec
Yellow-rumped WarblerSetophaga coronataWinter visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.25% in Dec
Snow GooseAnser caerulescensWinter visitorUncommon69–84 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.24% in Dec
Eurasian TealAnas creccaWinter visitorUncommon34–38 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.21% in Dec- Great Horned OwlBubo virginianusWinter visitorUncommon46–63 cmRecorded all year · 0.21% in Dec
Sharp-shinned HawkAccipiter striatusWinter visitorUncommon24–34 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.20% in Dec
Fox SparrowPasserella iliacaWinter visitorUncommon15–19 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.20% in Dec- Eastern Screech-owlMegascops asioWinter visitorUncommon16–25 cmRecorded all year · 0.19% in Dec
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataWinter visitorUncommon44–51 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.19% in Dec
Horned LarkEremophila alpestrisWinter visitorUncommon16–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.18% in Dec
Common GrackleQuiscalus quisculaSummer visitorCommon28–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.17% in Dec
White-crowned SparrowZonotrichia leucophrysWinter visitorUncommon15–16 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.17% in Dec
Wild TurkeyMeleagris gallopavoResidentUncommon100–125 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in Dec
Pine SiskinSpinus pinusWinter visitorUncommon11–14 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.16% in Dec
Pied-billed GrebePodilymbus podicepsWinter visitorUncommon31–38 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.15% in Dec
Mute SwanCygnus olorResidentUncommon140–160 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in Dec
Northern PintailAnas acutaWinter visitorUncommon59–76 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.13% in Dec
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinusWinter visitorUncommon64–79 cmRegularly Jul–Apr · 0.13% in Dec
Tundra SwanCygnus columbianusWinter visitorUncommon120–150 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.13% in Dec
MerlinFalco columbariusWinter visitorUncommon24–33 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Dec
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusWinter visitorUncommon52–64 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.12% in Dec
GoldeneyeBucephala clangulaWinter visitorUncommon40–51 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.11% in Dec
Wood DuckAix sponsaSummer visitorCommon47–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Dec
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusResidentUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Dec
Common LoonGavia immerWinter visitorUncommon66–91 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.08% in Dec
Cackling GooseBranta hutchinsiiWinter visitorUncommon53–76 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.08% in Dec
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serratorWinter visitorUncommon52–58 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.07% in Dec
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusWinter visitorUncommon50–90 cmRegularly Oct–Aug · 0.06% in Dec
Greater ScaupAythya marilaWinter visitorUncommon39–56 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.06% in Dec
Horned GrebePodiceps auritusWinter visitorUncommon31–38 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.06% in Dec
Red-headed WoodpeckerMelanerpes erythrocephalusResidentUncommon19–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Dec
Sandhill CraneAntigone canadensisResidentUncommon80–122 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Dec
Barred OwlStrix variaResidentUncommon43–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Dec
Bonaparte's GullChroicocephalus philadelphiaWinter visitorUncommon28–38 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.04% in Dec
Short-eared OwlAsio flammeusWinter visitorRare34–43 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.04% in Dec
Long-tailed DuckClangula hyemalisWinter visitorUncommon37–60 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.04% in Dec
Golden EagleAquila chrysaetosWinter visitorUncommon66–102 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.03% in Dec
Orange-crowned WarblerLeiothlypis celataWinter visitorRare11–14 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.03% in Dec
Evening GrosbeakHesperiphona vespertinaWinter visitorUncommon16–22 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.02% in Dec- Greater White-fronted GooseAnser albifronsWinter visitorRare64–81 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.02% in Dec
Northern Saw-whet OwlAegolius acadicusWinter visitorRare17–21 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.02% in Dec
Snow BuntingPlectrophenax nivalisWinter visitorUncommon15–18 cmRegularly Oct–Feb · 0.02% in Dec- Ross's GooseAnser rossiiWinter visitorRare57–64 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.02% in Dec
Common RedpollAcanthis flammeaWinter visitorRare12–14 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.02% in Dec
Lapland LongspurCalcarius lapponicusWinter visitorRare15–16 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.02% in Dec
Rough-legged HawkButeo lagopusWinter visitorUncommon46–59 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.02% in Dec
Red-necked GrebePodiceps grisegenaWinter visitorRare40–50 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.02% in Dec
Great CormorantPhalacrocorax carboWinter visitorRare80–100 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.02% in Dec
Barnacle GooseBranta leucopsisPassage migrantRare58–70 cmRegularly Dec–Jan · 0.02% in Dec
Ruffed GrouseBonasa umbellusResidentRare41–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Dec
Red-throated LoonGavia stellataWinter visitorRare53–69 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.02% in Dec
Trumpeter SwanCygnus buccinatorResidentRare139–157 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Dec
Iceland GullLarus glaucoidesWinter visitorRare52–60 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.01% in Dec
Surf ScoterMelanitta perspicillataWinter visitorRare48–60 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.01% in Dec
Snowy OwlBubo scandiacusWinter visitorRare52–71 cmRegularly Dec–Apr · 0.01% in Dec
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentRare30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Dec
Pink-footed GooseAnser brachyrhynchusPassage migrantRare60–75 cmRegularly Dec–Jan · 0.01% in Dec
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraWinter visitorRare15–17 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.01% in Dec
Muscovy DuckCairina moschataWinter visitorRare66–84 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Dec
Brent GooseBranta berniclaPassage migrantRare55–66 cmRegularly May–Dec · 0.01% in Dec
Say's PhoebeSayornis sayaPassage migrantRare17–20 cmRegularly Nov–Dec · 0.01% in Dec
Glaucous GullLarus hyperboreusWinter visitorRare62–68 cmRegularly Dec–Mar · 0.01% in Dec
Marsh WrenCistothorus palustrisSummer visitorUncommon10–14 cmRegularly Apr–Feb · 0.01% in Dec
Clay-colored SparrowSpizella pallidaResidentRare13–15 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 0.00% in Dec
Virginia RailRallus limicolaSummer visitorUncommon20–27 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Dec
Painted BuntingPasserina cirisWinter visitorRare12–14 cmRegularly Dec–Mar · 0.00% in Dec
Greylag GooseAnser anserResidentRare75–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Dec
KittiwakeRissa tridactylaResidentRare37–41 cmRegularly Dec · 0.00% in Dec
Purple SandpiperCalidris maritimaPassage migrantRare20–22 cmRegularly Nov–Dec · 0.00% in Dec
Black-necked GrebePodiceps nigricollisPassage migrantRare28–34 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.00% in Dec
DickcisselSpiza americanaSummer visitorRare14–16 cmRegularly May–Feb · 0.00% in Dec
ChukarAlectoris chukarWinter visitorRare32–38 cmRegularly Jun–Apr · 0.00% in Dec
Swan GooseAnser cygnoidesWinter visitorRare81–94 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 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