As the holiday season approaches, I love to spend time outside looking for birds. As temperatures drop and the leaves fall, it’s easy to spot some of the most vibrant colors: orange and yellow plumage on cardinals, blue-green feathers on pine grosbeaks.
If you want to add some extra cheer to your Thanksgiving dinner table (or just feel like getting out in nature), here are seven festive birds that you should look out for while they’re still around.
| Key Takeaways |
|---|
| There are many festive birds to spot during the holiday season, including Christmas-related birds and other species that may be active during this time. |
| Some of the most common holiday bird species include the Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, and American Goldfinch. |
| Early morning and late afternoon are the best times for birdwatching during the holidays. |
| To prepare for holiday birdwatching, you will need binoculars, a field guide, and appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather. |
| National parks, wildlife refuges, and nature preserves are excellent locations for holiday birdwatching. |
| Consider attending local birdwatching events, such as the Christmas Bird Count, for a unique and exciting birdwatching experience. |
Sandhill Crane
These birds are the tallest species of crane in North America, and they are one of the rarest birds in the world.
Sandhill cranes are found in Canada and Alaska during their summer migration period, but they spend most of their time in Texas during winter.
The sandhill crane is a symbol of peace because it mates for life and rarely takes flight unless it feels threatened or disturbed by humans.
This bird is an endangered species due to habitat loss, so we should try to preserve their habitats as much as possible!
Need some tips on what to bring for your next holiday bird watching trip? Check out our guide for must-have birdwatching gear during the holiday season!
Pine Grosbeak
The Pine Grosbeak is a small finch that is found in the northern hemisphere. It is a migratory bird that travels to the southern states during the winter months and then returns to Canada in spring.
The male has an all black head, back, and tail with white underparts, wings, and tail tip. Females are similar but have brown streaking on their breast area instead of white.
If you’re lucky enough to spot this festive bird during your next trip across North America or Europe, you’ll notice that it loves feeding on conifer seeds which makes sense given its name!
Best Brands for Birdwatching Equipment to Spot Pine Grosbeak
| Category | Best Brand |
|---|---|
| Binoculars | Vortex |
| Field Guide | Sibley Guides |
| Camera | Canon |
| Tripod | Manfrotto |
| Bird Feeder | Droll Yankees |
Note: These specific brands are recommendations only and not the only options available on the market.
The Pine Grosbeak is a bird species that can be particularly challenging to spot. The right equipment can make all the difference when it comes to successfully observing these beautiful birds. Consider investing in high-quality binoculars from Vortex, a detailed field guide from Sibley Guides, a camera from Canon, a sturdy tripod from Manfrotto, and a bird feeder from Droll Yankees to attract Pine Grosbeaks to your backyard.
American Goldfinch
The American Goldfinch is a common species that can be found in the eastern and central United States.
These birds have a black cap and face, with a yellow body and wings. They are characterized by their small size, which makes them easy to spot during the winter months when snow covers most of North America’s landscape.
Discover the fascinating Christmas traditions of various bird species with our guide to unusual Christmas traditions. You won’t believe what these birds do during the holidays!
European Robin
The European Robin is a small, insectivorous bird. The sexes are similar in appearance, with an orange breast and brown upperparts.
It is found across Europe, east to western Siberia and south to north Africa; it has also been introduced to Australia and New Zealand. In the British Isles the first Robin was spotted at about 10:30am on Thursday 15th April 2018 – it was much later than usual this year!
The species’ high visibility makes it symbolic of the Christmas season in much of Europe. The European Robin ranks among the best known birds in its range, both within its native continent and in North America; it is often used as an indicator species for evaluating environmental conditions because populations vary dramatically depending on local climate changes, habitat loss or degradation over time.
White-throated Sparrow
The white-throated sparrow is a common sight in the winter months. They are medium-sized and have brownish tops with white undersides, as well as black caps and breasts.
This species has a white throat and dark bills, which can be helpful when identifying them.
If you’re looking to spot these birds during this time of year, they can often be found near open fields or woodlands where there’s plenty of food for them to eat.
Looking for the perfect Christmas-themed bird watching event for the holiday season? Check out our guide to the best Christmas-themed bird watching events to attend this year!
Northern Harrier
The Northern Harrier is a medium-sized buteo found in North America, Europe, Africa and Asia. It’s a common and widespread bird that can be seen hunting for small prey on the ground as well as hawking insects from the air.
Named for its distinctive hunting method (the harrier flies low over open fields), this raptor is an opportunistic hunter with no shortage of food options: rodents, rabbits and voles make up much of their diet when they’re not chasing down insects.
Top Brands for Birdwatching Equipment to Spot Northern Harrier
| Category | Top Brand |
|---|---|
| Binoculars | Zeiss |
| Field Guide | Kaufman Field Guides |
| Camera | Nikon |
| Tripod | Gitzo |
| Clothing | Patagonia |
Note: These specific brands are recommendations only and not the only options available on the market.
The Northern Harrier is a unique bird of prey that can be difficult to spot without the right equipment. Investing in high-quality binoculars from Zeiss, a detailed field guide from Kaufman Field Guides, a camera from Nikon, a sturdy tripod from Gitzo, and appropriate clothing from Patagonia can greatly enhance your ability to successfully observe Northern Harriers in the wild.
Northern Cardinal
- The Northern Cardinal is common in North America, and can be found in a variety of habitats ranging from rainforests to shrubby areas.
- It’s known for its red color and distinctive crest, which it raises when it feels threatened or excited.
- The Northern Cardinal typically inhabits the eastern, southern and central parts of the United States as well as Canada and Mexico.
Birdwatching is a great holiday activity for all ages and abilities. Learn about the top 10 reasons why birdwatching is the perfect holiday activity with our guide to 10 reasons why birdwatching is perfect for the holidays.
Cedar Waxwing
If you’re looking for a bird with serious holiday cheer, look no further than the Cedar Waxwing. This medium-sized member of the finch family has a bright red crest and yellow body that will put your celebrating to shame.
The Cedar Waxwing also features black wings and a white belly, so it’s easy to spot against its natural environment—you might even see them flocking together in large numbers near their favorite food sources (like berries).
Cedar Waxwings were once considered rare during wintertime in North America and Central America, but their population has increased dramatically since then. Now they can be seen almost everywhere during late autumn and winter months!
Tufted Titmouse
The Tufted Titmouse is one of the most common birds in North America. It has a round head and short, thick bill.
The Tufted Titmouse’s black cap extends down to its nape, and its cheeks are white. Its back is grayish-brown with streaks of white on the wings and tail, while its belly is white as well.
The Tufted Titmouse eats insects and spiders as well as seeds from conifers (evergreen trees) such as pine cones.
They make their homes in hollow trunks or branches of dead trees like other birds do, but they also live in nests built by other animals such as squirrels or woodpeckers!
The Tufted Titmouse doesn’t migrate very far during winter—you’re likely to see them throughout North America except for Alaska where it gets too cold for them!
Tis the season for birdwatching! Plan your next holiday birdwatching trip with our guide to the top 15 birdwatching hotspots to visit during the holidays. You won’t want to miss these beautiful locations for bird watching.
Red-breasted Nuthatch
The Red-breasted Nuthatch is a bright little bird with a big personality. It’s a common sight in the winter months and is easy to identify by its brown, red, and white markings. In the springtime, male nuthatches grow long spiky feathers called “spurs.”
These are used for fighting during breeding season battles over territory! In addition to the traditional bluebird box on your front porch or backyard fence post, try adding some natural wooded areas where birds can build nests for these guys.
This species prefers deciduous trees with pine needles or evergreens such as holly or spruce trees available nearby as well.
The nuthatches eat insects found underneath loose bark so they’ll often visit your yard if there’s an infestation of pests hiding out somewhere nearby!
Adult males can be identified by their black bill while adult females have orange bills instead (though juvenile birds might not always have one yet).
If you’re having trouble identifying which gender you’ve got in your backyard: just check their feet! Males always have three toes pointed forward while females only have two toes pointing forward like human beings do.”
House Finch
You may be familiar with the House Finch, a small, colorful finch that is very common in North America. It has a distinctive orange-red band on its head and black bars on its wings.
These birds are extremely social, often congregating in large flocks to feed on seeds and other plant material. These birds also have a tendency to chirp loudly when they’re happy or excited!
Ruffed Grouse
Ruffed Grouse is a member of the grouse family, a group of birds that includes other gamebirds such as the ptarmigan and willow ptarmigan.
They are also known as partridges, since they are about half the size of pheasants. This bird is a gamebird of the forests, swamps and open country.
It is most often found on forest edges or clearings where young trees grow in abundance. The ruffed grouse is a year-round resident of northern forests.
Conclusion
We hope that this list has helped you to get excited about the different birds you can see at this time of year. We know it’s a short one, but there are so many species out there that we wanted to focus on just a few of our favorites!
If you’re looking for more ideas, check out our blog post on “How To See The Most Birds During The Holiday Season”.
Further Reading
If you enjoyed learning about the festive birds during the holiday season, check out this article on 10 Winter Birds to Spot During the Christmas Bird Count from The Nature Conservancy.
Discover more about Christmas birds with this article from Birds & Blooms, which provides insights into Christmas Birds: The Story Behind America’s Beloved Symbols.
For more information on the 13 birds of Christmas, check out this article from Discover Wildlife on the 13 birds of Christmas.
FAQs
What are the best birds to spot during the holiday season?
The best birds to spot during the holiday season include Christmas-related birds such as the Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, and American Goldfinch. Other birds that may be spotted during the holiday season include various waterfowl, sparrow species, and raptors such as the Bald Eagle.
What time of day is best for birdwatching during the holidays?
Early morning and late afternoon are generally the best times for bird watching during the holidays as this is when birds are most active.
What equipment do I need for holiday birdwatching?
The equipment needed for holiday birdwatching includes binoculars, a field guide, and appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather conditions.
Where are the best locations for holiday bird watching?
The best locations for holiday bird watching can vary depending on the region, but wildlife refuges, nature preserves, and national parks are generally excellent locations for spotting a variety of bird species.
Are there any birdwatching events during the holiday season?
Yes, there are many birdwatching events that occur during the holiday season, such as the Christmas Bird Count. Check with local bird clubs, parks, and nature centers for more information on birdwatching events in your area.
Hello! I’m Hellen James, and I’m a birdwatcher and birder. I have a personal interest in bird behavior and classifications and have been following the latest research on the topic for years.