Birds to See in Virginia in December
143 bird species on our list for Virginia are recorded regularly in December
Of these, the most often recorded are Northern Cardinal, American Crow, Blue Jay, Red-bellied Woodpecker and Tufted Titmouse. New this month: Razorbill, Iceland Gull, Glaucous Gull and Black-headed Gull and 3 more.
On the move in December
GBIF · DecArriving
At their peak
Yellow-bellied SapsuckerBusiest month of the year · Oct–Apr
Fox SparrowBusiest month of the year · Nov–Mar
Snow GooseBusiest month of the year · Oct–Mar
Orange-crowned WarblerBusiest month of the year · Oct–Apr
Ross's GooseBusiest month of the year · Nov–Mar
American Tree SparrowBusiest month of the year · Nov–Mar
From Virginia’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 143 birds in December
143 birds
Northern CardinalCardinalis cardinalisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 3.86% in Dec
American CrowCorvus brachyrhynchosResidentCommon41–53 cmRecorded all year · 3.56% in Dec
Blue JayCyanocitta cristataResidentCommon25–30 cmRecorded all year · 2.95% in Dec
Red-bellied WoodpeckerMelanerpes carolinusResidentCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 2.90% in Dec
Tufted TitmouseBaeolophus bicolorResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 2.84% in Dec
Song SparrowMelospiza melodiaResidentCommon12–17 cmRecorded all year · 2.77% in Dec
Downy WoodpeckerDryobates pubescensResidentCommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 2.62% in Dec
Eastern BluebirdSialia sialisResidentCommon16–21 cmRecorded all year · 2.30% in Dec
White-breasted NuthatchSitta carolinensisResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 2.23% in Dec
American RobinTurdus migratoriusResidentCommon20–28 cmRecorded all year · 2.22% in Dec
Mourning DoveZenaida macrouraResidentCommon23–34 cmRecorded all year · 2.16% in Dec
Turkey VultureCathartes auraResidentCommon62–81 cmRecorded all year · 2.15% in Dec
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 2.14% in Dec
Northern MockingbirdMimus polyglottosResidentCommon21–26 cmRecorded all year · 2.08% in Dec
House FinchHaemorhous mexicanusResidentCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.92% in Dec
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.86% in Dec
Northern FlickerColaptes auratusResidentCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 1.84% in Dec
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.65% in Dec
Yellow-rumped WarblerSetophaga coronataWinter visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Oct–May · 1.62% in Dec
Great Blue HeronArdea herodiasResidentCommon91–137 cmRecorded all year · 1.55% in Dec
Ring-billed GullLarus delawarensisWinter visitorCommon43–54 cmRegularly Jul–May · 1.37% in Dec
Bald EagleHaliaeetus leucocephalusResidentCommon70–102 cmRecorded all year · 1.22% in Dec- Yellow-bellied SapsuckerSphyrapicus variusWinter visitorCommon19–22 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 1.20% in Dec
Pileated WoodpeckerDryocopus pileatusResidentCommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 1.12% in Dec
Ruby-crowned KingletCorthylio calendulaWinter visitorCommon9–11 cmRegularly Sep–May · 1.06% in Dec
Hermit ThrushCatharus guttatusWinter visitorCommon14–18 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.93% in Dec
Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceusResidentCommon17–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.92% in Dec
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.92% in Dec
Hooded MerganserLophodytes cucullatusWinter visitorCommon40–49 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.90% in Dec
Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensisResidentCommon45–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.88% in Dec
Swamp SparrowMelospiza georgianaWinter visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.70% in Dec
Fish CrowCorvus ossifragusResidentCommon36–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.69% in Dec
Hairy WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus villosusResidentCommon18–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.67% in Dec
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 0.58% in Dec
Cedar WaxwingBombycilla cedrorumResidentCommon15–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.58% in Dec
American Herring GullLarus smithsonianusResidentCommon53–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.56% in Dec
GadwallMareca streperaWinter visitorCommon46–56 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.49% in Dec
Pied-billed GrebePodilymbus podicepsWinter visitorCommon31–38 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.46% in Dec
Common RavenCorvus coraxResidentCommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.43% in Dec
Ruddy DuckOxyura jamaicensisWinter visitorUncommon35–43 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.40% in Dec
American Black DuckAnas rubripesWinter visitorUncommon54–59 cmRegularly Jul–Apr · 0.38% in Dec
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinusResidentUncommon64–79 cmRecorded all year · 0.36% in Dec
Chipping SparrowSpizella passerinaSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.28% in Dec
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataWinter visitorUncommon44–51 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.27% in Dec
Common LoonGavia immerWinter visitorUncommon66–91 cmRegularly Oct–Jun · 0.26% in Dec
Eurasian TealAnas creccaWinter visitorUncommon34–38 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.26% in Dec- Fox SparrowPasserella iliacaWinter visitorUncommon15–19 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.26% in Dec
Common GrackleQuiscalus quisculaSummer visitorCommon28–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.24% in Dec
Great White EgretArdea albaSummer visitorCommon80–104 cmRecorded all year · 0.23% in Dec
Red-headed WoodpeckerMelanerpes erythrocephalusResidentUncommon19–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.22% in Dec
Northern PintailAnas acutaWinter visitorUncommon59–76 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.21% in Dec
Tundra SwanCygnus columbianusWinter visitorUncommon120–150 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.20% in Dec
White-crowned SparrowZonotrichia leucophrysWinter visitorUncommon15–16 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.20% in Dec
Gray CatbirdDumetella carolinensisSummer visitorCommon20–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.19% in Dec
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serratorWinter visitorUncommon52–58 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.18% in Dec
Sharp-shinned HawkAccipiter striatusWinter visitorUncommon24–34 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.17% in Dec
Common MerganserMergus merganserWinter visitorUncommon58–68 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in Dec
Forster's TernSterna forsteriResidentUncommon33–36 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in Dec
SanderlingCalidris albaResidentUncommon18–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in Dec
Surf ScoterMelanitta perspicillataWinter visitorUncommon48–60 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.13% in Dec
Wood DuckAix sponsaResidentCommon47–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Dec
Horned GrebePodiceps auritusWinter visitorUncommon31–38 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.13% in Dec
Bonaparte's GullChroicocephalus philadelphiaWinter visitorUncommon28–38 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.12% in Dec
Wild TurkeyMeleagris gallopavoResidentUncommon100–125 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Dec
Pine SiskinSpinus pinusWinter visitorUncommon11–14 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.12% in Dec- Snow GooseAnser caerulescensWinter visitorUncommon69–84 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.12% in Dec
Barred OwlStrix variaResidentUncommon43–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in Dec
Greater YellowlegsTringa melanoleucaResidentUncommon29–40 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Dec
DunlinCalidris alpinaWinter visitorUncommon16–22 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.10% in Dec
MerlinFalco columbariusWinter visitorUncommon24–33 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.10% in Dec
Northern GannetMorus bassanusWinter visitorUncommon87–100 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.10% in Dec
Red-throated LoonGavia stellataWinter visitorUncommon53–69 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.10% in Dec
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusWinter visitorUncommon52–64 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Dec
Great Horned OwlBubo virginianusResidentUncommon46–63 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Dec- Orange-crowned WarblerLeiothlypis celataWinter visitorUncommon11–14 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.08% in Dec
Eastern Screech-owlMegascops asioResidentUncommon16–25 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Dec
Baltimore OrioleIcterus galbulaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Dec
WilletTringa semipalmataResidentUncommon33–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Dec
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusWinter visitorUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Dec
Horned LarkEremophila alpestrisWinter visitorUncommon16–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Dec
Palm WarblerSetophaga palmarumPassage migrantCommon12–14 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.06% in Dec
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaResidentUncommon27–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Dec
Mute SwanCygnus olorResidentUncommon140–160 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Dec
Greater ScaupAythya marilaWinter visitorUncommon39–56 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.04% in Dec
GoldeneyeBucephala clangulaWinter visitorUncommon40–51 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.04% in Dec
Marsh WrenCistothorus palustrisWinter visitorUncommon10–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Dec
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresResidentUncommon21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Dec
Long-tailed DuckClangula hyemalisWinter visitorUncommon37–60 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.04% in Dec
Virginia RailRallus limicolaResidentRare20–27 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Dec
Cackling GooseBranta hutchinsiiWinter visitorRare53–76 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.03% in Dec
Brent GooseBranta berniclaWinter visitorUncommon55–66 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.03% in Dec
Blue-headed VireoVireo solitariusSummer visitorUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.03% in Dec- Ross's GooseAnser rossiiWinter visitorRare57–64 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.03% in Dec
Muscovy DuckCairina moschataResidentRare66–84 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Dec
Short-eared OwlAsio flammeusWinter visitorRare34–43 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.02% in Dec
Evening GrosbeakHesperiphona vespertinaWinter visitorRare16–22 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.02% in Dec
Trumpeter SwanCygnus buccinatorWinter visitorRare139–157 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Dec
Black-crowned Night-heronNycticorax nycticoraxResidentUncommon58–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Dec- American Tree SparrowSpizelloides arboreaWinter visitorRare14–17 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.02% in Dec
Marbled GodwitLimosa fedoaWinter visitorRare40–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Dec
Purple SandpiperCalidris maritimaWinter visitorRare20–22 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.02% in Dec
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentRare30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Dec
Sandhill CraneAntigone canadensisWinter visitorRare80–122 cmRegularly Nov–Jun · 0.01% in Dec
Greater White-fronted GooseAnser albifronsWinter visitorRare64–81 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.01% in Dec
Western SandpiperCalidris mauriWinter visitorRare14–17 cmRegularly Jul–Apr · 0.01% in Dec
Short-billed DowitcherLimnodromus griseusSummer visitorUncommon23–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Dec
Lesser YellowlegsTringa flavipesPassage migrantUncommon23–27 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.01% in Dec
EiderSomateria mollissimaWinter visitorRare50–71 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.01% in Dec
RazorbillAlca tordaWinter visitorUncommon38–43 cmRegularly Dec–Mar · 0.01% in Dec
Eurasian WigeonMareca penelopeWinter visitorRare42–51 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.01% in Dec
American BitternBotaurus lentiginosusWinter visitorRare58–85 cmRegularly Sep–Jun · 0.01% in Dec
Snow BuntingPlectrophenax nivalisWinter visitorRare15–18 cmRegularly Nov–Feb · 0.01% in Dec
WhimbrelNumenius phaeopusSummer visitorRare40–46 cmRegularly Apr–Feb · 0.01% in Dec
Painted BuntingPasserina cirisWinter visitorRare12–14 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.01% in Dec
Golden EagleAquila chrysaetosWinter visitorRare66–102 cmRegularly Sep–Mar · 0.01% in Dec
Red JunglefowlGallus gallusResidentRare42–75 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Dec
Clay-colored SparrowSpizella pallidaWinter visitorRare13–15 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.01% in Dec
Great CormorantPhalacrocorax carboWinter visitorRare80–100 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.01% in Dec
Lapland LongspurCalcarius lapponicusWinter visitorRare15–16 cmRegularly Oct–Feb · 0.01% in Dec
Vesper SparrowPooecetes gramineusSummer visitorRare13–17 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 0.00% in Dec
Iceland GullLarus glaucoidesWinter visitorRare52–60 cmRegularly Dec–Apr · 0.00% in Dec
Lark SparrowChondestes grammacusPassage migrantRare15–17 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.00% in Dec
Northern Saw-whet OwlAegolius acadicusPassage migrantRare17–21 cmRegularly Jun–Jan · 0.00% in Dec
Western KingbirdTyrannus verticalisPassage migrantRare20–24 cmRegularly Sep–Jan · 0.00% in Dec
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraSummer visitorRare15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Dec
Red KnotCalidris canutusSummer visitorRare23–26 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 0.00% in Dec
DickcisselSpiza americanaSummer visitorRare14–16 cmRegularly May–Feb · 0.00% in Dec
American AvocetRecurvirostra americanaSummer visitorRare43–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Dec
Piping PloverCharadrius melodusSummer visitorRare17–18 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.00% in Dec
Red-necked GrebePodiceps grisegenaWinter visitorRare40–50 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.00% in Dec
Arctic JaegerStercorarius parasiticusPassage migrantRare41–46 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.00% in Dec
Ruffed GrouseBonasa umbellusSummer visitorRare41–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Dec
Red-cockaded WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus borealisResidentRare20–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Dec
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusResidentRare50–90 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 0.00% in Dec
Rough-legged HawkButeo lagopusWinter visitorRare46–59 cmRegularly Nov–Feb · 0.00% in Dec
Long-billed DowitcherLimnodromus scolopaceusWinter visitorRare27–30 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.00% in Dec
Black-necked GrebePodiceps nigricollisPassage migrantRare28–34 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.00% in Dec
Helmeted GuineafowlNumida meleagrisResidentRare53–63 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Dec
Glaucous GullLarus hyperboreusWinter visitorRare62–68 cmRegularly Dec–Mar · 0.00% in Dec
Swan GooseAnser cygnoidesPassage migrantRare81–94 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.00% in Dec
Manx ShearwaterPuffinus puffinusPassage migrantRare30–38 cmRegularly Dec–Jan · 0.00% in Dec
Pacific LoonGavia pacificaScarceRare58–74 cmRegularly Dec · 0.00% in Dec
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundusWinter visitorRare38–44 cmRegularly Dec–Feb · 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