Barn Swallow in August
Where barn swallows are in August, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
August in the Barn Swallow's year
August feels like summer but the year has turned. Southbound migration is quietly underway, many adults are molting into fresh plumage, and family groups are breaking up. Late nesters are still feeding young in the North while southern birds are already drifting toward wintering grounds.
For the Barn Swallow specifically, August is a summer month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 61 states and provinces where barn swallows occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where barn swallows are in August
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- summer breeder
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In August, barn swallows are absent in the South, summer breeder across the mid-latitudes, and absent in the northern states and Canada. That north–south split is the defining feature of this month: where you live changes which version of this bird you're looking at.
Nesting in August
Barn swallows are not nesting in August. The season runs May–July at mid-latitudes, and up to a month later in the North.
Outside the nesting season, barn swallows put their energy into feeding and flocking rather than territory and young — which is exactly what makes them easier to watch and attract this month.
What to feed in August
- Flies, beetles and moths
Barn swallows nest on ledges under eaves and in barns; an open-front ledge shelf gives them a site.
Molting birds look scruffy and often skulk — don't be surprised if familiar visitors briefly vanish. Keep water fresh in the heat.
Watching barn swallows this month
Barn swallows are settled and predictable in August, which makes this a good month to learn the bird's routine — same feeders, same perches, same times of day.
The state guides below show exactly where in your region barn swallows are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Barn Swallow month by month
Barn Swallow by state
Frequently asked
Where are barn swallows in August?
In August, barn swallows are absent in the South, summer breeder across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do barn swallows nest in August?
No — barn swallows typically nest May through July at mid-latitudes.
What do barn swallows eat in August?
Flies, beetles and moths.
Sources
- Barn Swallow — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Barn Swallow life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Barn Swallow — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.