Birds to See in Washington in December
129 bird species on our list for Washington are recorded regularly in December
Of these, the most often recorded are Song Sparrow, American Crow, Northern Flicker, Mallard and American Robin. New this month: Mountain Bluebird, American Avocet, Burrowing Owl and Black-throated Blue Warbler.
On the move in December
GBIF · DecArriving
At their peak
From Washington’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 129 birds in December
129 birds
Song SparrowMelospiza melodiaResidentCommon12–17 cmRecorded all year · 3.67% in Dec
American CrowCorvus brachyrhynchosResidentCommon41–53 cmRecorded all year · 3.22% in Dec
Northern FlickerColaptes auratusResidentCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 2.67% in Dec
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 2.48% in Dec
American RobinTurdus migratoriusResidentCommon20–28 cmRecorded all year · 2.40% in Dec
House FinchHaemorhous mexicanusResidentCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 2.08% in Dec
Bald EagleHaliaeetus leucocephalusResidentCommon70–102 cmRecorded all year · 2.05% in Dec
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.86% in Dec
Ruby-crowned KingletCorthylio calendulaWinter visitorCommon9–11 cmRegularly Sep–May · 1.56% in Dec
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 1.46% in Dec
Great Blue HeronArdea herodiasResidentCommon91–137 cmRecorded all year · 1.46% in Dec
GoldeneyeBucephala clangulaWinter visitorCommon40–51 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 1.41% in Dec
Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensisResidentCommon45–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.39% in Dec
Pine SiskinSpinus pinusResidentCommon11–14 cmRecorded all year · 1.37% in Dec
Common RavenCorvus coraxResidentCommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 1.31% in Dec
Pacific WrenTroglodytes pacificusResidentCommon8–12 cmRecorded all year · 1.09% in Dec
Fox SparrowPasserella iliacaWinter visitorCommon15–19 cmRegularly Jul–Apr · 1.02% in Dec
Downy WoodpeckerDryobates pubescensResidentCommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.99% in Dec
Hooded MerganserLophodytes cucullatusWinter visitorCommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.96% in Dec
Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceusResidentCommon17–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.94% in Dec
Common MerganserMergus merganserWinter visitorCommon58–68 cmRecorded all year · 0.93% in Dec
White-crowned SparrowZonotrichia leucophrysResidentCommon15–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.93% in Dec
Varied ThrushIxoreus naeviusWinter visitorCommon20–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.92% in Dec
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.87% in Dec
Horned GrebePodiceps auritusWinter visitorCommon31–38 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.85% in Dec
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 0.85% in Dec
Surf ScoterMelanitta perspicillataWinter visitorCommon48–60 cmRecorded all year · 0.80% in Dec
Pied-billed GrebePodilymbus podicepsResidentCommon31–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.77% in Dec
GadwallMareca streperaResidentCommon46–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.76% in Dec
Eurasian TealAnas creccaWinter visitorCommon34–38 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 0.74% in Dec
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serratorWinter visitorCommon52–58 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.71% in Dec
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataWinter visitorCommon44–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.61% in Dec
Trumpeter SwanCygnus buccinatorWinter visitorCommon139–157 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.60% in Dec
Northern PintailAnas acutaWinter visitorCommon59–76 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.59% in Dec
Yellow-rumped WarblerSetophaga coronataResidentCommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.57% in Dec
Cackling GooseBranta hutchinsiiWinter visitorCommon53–76 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.54% in Dec
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentCommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.54% in Dec
Ring-billed GullLarus delawarensisResidentCommon43–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.52% in Dec
Mourning DoveZenaida macrouraResidentCommon23–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.51% in Dec
Common LoonGavia immerWinter visitorCommon66–91 cmRecorded all year · 0.46% in Dec
Red-necked GrebePodiceps grisegenaWinter visitorUncommon40–50 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.43% in Dec
Hairy WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus villosusResidentUncommon18–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.42% in Dec
Marsh WrenCistothorus palustrisResidentCommon10–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.36% in Dec
Greater ScaupAythya marilaWinter visitorUncommon39–56 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.28% in Dec
DunlinCalidris alpinaWinter visitorUncommon16–22 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.28% in Dec
Snow GooseAnser caerulescensWinter visitorUncommon69–84 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.27% in Dec
Pileated WoodpeckerDryocopus pileatusResidentUncommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.26% in Dec
Pacific LoonGavia pacificaWinter visitorUncommon58–74 cmRecorded all year · 0.22% in Dec
Sharp-shinned HawkAccipiter striatusWinter visitorUncommon24–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in Dec
Red-throated LoonGavia stellataWinter visitorUncommon53–69 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.20% in Dec
Wood DuckAix sponsaResidentCommon47–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in Dec
MerlinFalco columbariusWinter visitorUncommon24–33 cmRecorded all year · 0.19% in Dec
Eurasian WigeonMareca penelopeWinter visitorUncommon42–51 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.19% in Dec
Red-breasted SapsuckerSphyrapicus ruberResidentUncommon19–22 cmRecorded all year · 0.18% in Dec
Lincoln's SparrowMelospiza lincolniiWinter visitorUncommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.18% in Dec
Greater YellowlegsTringa melanoleucaResidentCommon29–40 cmRecorded all year · 0.17% in Dec
Great Horned OwlBubo virginianusResidentUncommon46–63 cmRecorded all year · 0.17% in Dec
Cedar WaxwingBombycilla cedrorumSummer visitorCommon15–18 cmRegularly May–Feb · 0.17% in Dec
Western MeadowlarkSturnella neglectaResidentUncommon16–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.17% in Dec
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusResidentUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in Dec
Tundra SwanCygnus columbianusWinter visitorUncommon120–150 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.16% in Dec
Hermit ThrushCatharus guttatusResidentUncommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in Dec
Rough-legged HawkButeo lagopusWinter visitorUncommon46–59 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.16% in Dec
Brent GooseBranta berniclaWinter visitorUncommon55–66 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.16% in Dec
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraResidentUncommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in Dec
Ruddy DuckOxyura jamaicensisResidentUncommon35–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in Dec
American Herring GullLarus smithsonianusWinter visitorUncommon53–65 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.15% in Dec
Great White EgretArdea albaResidentUncommon80–104 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in Dec
Virginia RailRallus limicolaResidentUncommon20–27 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in Dec
Bonaparte's GullChroicocephalus philadelphiaWinter visitorUncommon28–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in Dec
Long-tailed DuckClangula hyemalisWinter visitorUncommon37–60 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.11% in Dec
White-breasted NuthatchSitta carolinensisResidentUncommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Dec
Short-eared OwlAsio flammeusWinter visitorUncommon34–43 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.10% in Dec
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaWinter visitorUncommon27–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Dec
SanderlingCalidris albaWinter visitorUncommon18–20 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.10% in Dec
Sandhill CraneAntigone canadensisWinter visitorUncommon80–122 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Dec
Iceland GullLarus glaucoidesWinter visitorUncommon52–60 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.09% in Dec
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusResidentUncommon50–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Dec
Barred OwlStrix variaResidentUncommon43–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Dec
Greater White-fronted GooseAnser albifronsWinter visitorUncommon64–81 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.08% in Dec
Wild TurkeyMeleagris gallopavoResidentUncommon100–125 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Dec
Orange-crowned WarblerLeiothlypis celataSummer visitorCommon11–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Dec
Least SandpiperCalidris minutillaWinter visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Feb · 0.06% in Dec
Long-billed DowitcherLimnodromus scolopaceusWinter visitorUncommon27–30 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.06% in Dec
Horned LarkEremophila alpestrisResidentUncommon16–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Dec
Black-necked GrebePodiceps nigricollisResidentUncommon28–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Dec
Evening GrosbeakHesperiphona vespertinaSummer visitorUncommon16–22 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Dec
Northern Saw-whet OwlAegolius acadicusWinter visitorRare17–21 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Dec
Golden EagleAquila chrysaetosResidentUncommon66–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Dec
American BitternBotaurus lentiginosusResidentUncommon58–85 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Dec
Northern Pygmy-owlGlaucidium gnomaResidentRare15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Dec
Common RedpollAcanthis flammeaWinter visitorRare12–14 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.02% in Dec
American Tree SparrowSpizelloides arboreaWinter visitorRare14–17 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.02% in Dec
Semipalmated PloverCharadrius semipalmatusPassage migrantUncommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 0.02% in Dec
Bohemian WaxwingBombycilla garrulusWinter visitorRare19–23 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.02% in Dec
Snowy OwlBubo scandiacusWinter visitorRare52–71 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.02% in Dec
Ruffed GrouseBonasa umbellusResidentRare41–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Dec
Black-crowned Night-heronNycticorax nycticoraxResidentRare58–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Dec
Lewis's WoodpeckerMelanerpes lewisSummer visitorUncommon26–28 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Dec
Snow BuntingPlectrophenax nivalisWinter visitorRare15–18 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.01% in Dec
Swamp SparrowMelospiza georgianaWinter visitorRare12–15 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.01% in Dec
Grey PartridgePerdix perdixResidentRare28–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Dec
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusWinter visitorRare52–64 cmRegularly Aug–Mar · 0.01% in Dec
Blue JayCyanocitta cristataWinter visitorRare25–30 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.01% in Dec
ChukarAlectoris chukarResidentRare32–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Dec
Acorn WoodpeckerMelanerpes formicivorusResidentRare20–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Dec
Western Screech-owlMegascops kennicottiiResidentRare19–25 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Dec
Marbled GodwitLimosa fedoaWinter visitorUncommon40–50 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.01% in Dec
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresWinter visitorRare21–24 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.01% in Dec
Mountain BluebirdSialia currucoidesSummer visitorUncommon15–18 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.01% in Dec
White-headed WoodpeckerPicoides albolarvatusResidentRare20–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Dec
Northern WaterthrushParkesia noveboracensisResidentRare12–15 cmRegularly May–Feb · 0.01% in Dec
Glaucous GullLarus hyperboreusWinter visitorRare62–68 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.01% in Dec
Muscovy DuckCairina moschataResidentRare66–84 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Dec
KittiwakeRissa tridactylaWinter visitorRare37–41 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 0.01% in Dec
FulmarFulmarus glacialisSummer visitorUncommon45–50 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.01% in Dec
WilletTringa semipalmataWinter visitorUncommon33–41 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.00% in Dec
American AvocetRecurvirostra americanaSummer visitorUncommon43–51 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.00% in Dec
Red KnotCalidris canutusPassage migrantRare23–26 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.00% in Dec
Lapland LongspurCalcarius lapponicusWinter visitorRare15–16 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.00% in Dec
Palm WarblerSetophaga palmarumWinter visitorRare12–14 cmRegularly Sep–Mar · 0.00% in Dec
Franklin's GullLeucophaeus pipixcanSummer visitorRare32–36 cmRegularly May–Dec · 0.00% in Dec
Black-throated Blue WarblerSetophaga caerulescensPassage migrantRare11–13 cmRegularly Dec · 0.00% in Dec
Ross's GooseAnser rossiiPassage migrantRare57–64 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.00% in Dec
Black-backed WoodpeckerPicoides arcticusSummer visitorRare21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Dec
Burrowing OwlAthene cuniculariaSummer visitorRare19–25 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.00% in Dec
Mandarin DuckAix galericulataPassage migrantRare41–49 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.00% in Dec
Northern MockingbirdMimus polyglottosWinter visitorRare21–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Dec
Greylag GooseAnser anserWinter visitorRare75–90 cmRegularly Jul–May · 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