You'll instantly feel more joyful and festive when you see these Christmas bird photos shared by our readers.
14 Christmas Bird Pictures to Spread Holiday Cheer
Published on Dec. 12, 2024
Hummingbird on Christmas Lights
“On my way to work, I walk past a restaurant. One day, I noticed a group of Anna’s hummingbirds buzzing around, and I captured several Christmas bird photos, including one of this bright male posing among the eatery’s Christmas lights,” says Birds & Blooms reader Rick Kleinosky of Corvallis, Oregon.
Elf on a Birdhouse
“Every year I take out my Christmas decorations to put on the tree and take a special look at my elf on the shelf. He is 60 years old, given to me by my Mom, and I love to put him outside with a peanut. The most frequent bird to visit him is a tufted titmouse. The brave bird will sit right next to the elf and then fly away with the peanut. I had dried out this gourd and put a large hole in it hoping to attract birds as a shelter for them in the winter,” says reader Nancy Tully.
Christmasy Carolina Wren
“I hung this Christmas decoration on my bird feeder pole. Soon I happened to see this little Carolina wren. I opened the window very slowly, trying to not scare the bird, and I snapped away. I don’t often see these wrens, but one was here in the winter last year, too,” says reader Carol Shaffer of Windber, Pennsylvania.
Meet the festive flock of birds in the 12 days of Christmas.
Deck the Halls
“I received an edible birdhouse as a birthday gift from my grandmother. As soon as I hung it, I noticed my resident bluebird pair inspecting it, despite already having four nest boxes! I love this moment because they seem to be in deep discussion over whether to love it or list it,” says reader Gretchen Dunham of Franklin, Tennessee.
Did you know: Bluebirds rely heavily on fruits and berries during the cooler months. Dogwood, sumac and hackberry are all wintry bluebird faves.
Christmas Chickadee
“A black-capped chickadee posed on a festive basket that I made last winter,” says reader Respah Mitchell of Exeter, Maine.
Holly Jolly Junco
“This is one of my favorite photos of a junco. It was taken in my yard on a wintery day. What I didn’t realize until I previewed the photo was that my Christmas tree light were the backdrop,” says reader Ava Lanes.
After you see the Christmas bird photos, don’t miss these adorable junco bird pictures.
Dreaming of a Cardinal Christmas
“I took this photo on Christmas day while watching the feeders outside of my parents’ home in southeastern Ohio. Snow on Christmas isn’t that common here, so this was a very unique photo opportunity,” says reader James Hamilton.
See more magical pictures of cardinals in snow.
Festive Feathered Friends
“An unusual snow that blew through the middle of Georgia was just the trick to attract a dark-eyed junco and American goldfinch to a prop I positioned close to my feeder. I captured this lucky photo through an open kitchen window,” says reader Tim Drake of Waverly Hall, Georgia.
Blue Jay Christmas
“It’s fun to decorate for the holidays. I made this wreath from fresh greenery I’d bought at a local market, and added a few red berries. The blue jays had a beautiful place to land and have a snack while getting their Christmas bird photos taken,” says reader Sharon Sauriol of Washington, Michigan.
Christmas Dinner
“I decided to get creative and put some birdseed into a cute basket, then set up my camera and wait patiently to see who would come to eat. I enjoyed watching all of the different birds interacting with each other. A northern cardinal, a goldfinch and a house finch got along well enough to share some seed,” says reader Kathy Jenkins of Albright, West Virginia.
Nature’s Ornaments
“To me this little chickadee, in his frosted tree, with his very own ornaments hanging just speaks to me. It is a glorious winter scene that reminds me of the holiday season,” says reader Joanne Klausner.
Learn how you can help birds in cold winter weather.
Warbler at Christmas
“This orange-crowned warbler only comes to my place during Christmas time and leaves at the end of February. He is so cute; he has been coming to my apartment in the last three years. I look so forward to seeing him every year. The bird loves the little swing i made; sometimes he sits on it just looking around. I don’t have a big yard but I sure get a lot of interesting birds and animals,” says reader Iman Ahmad.
Frosty and a Bird Friend
“I thought it would be fun to take a picture of a snowman with a bird sitting on it. I added some seeds, and to my surprise a beautiful Steller’s jay landed,” says reader Amy Bragg.
Cheerful Redbird
“I received flowers in this bowl. Afterwards I decided to use it as a bird feeder. The birds seemed to love it. I enjoy sharing the holidays with my backyard birds,” says reader Rebecca Granger.
