Black Vulture in August
Where black vultures are in August, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
August in the Black Vulture'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 Black Vulture specifically, August is a summer month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 24 states and provinces where black vultures occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where black vultures are in August
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In August, black vultures are absent in the South, year-round resident 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
Black vultures are not nesting in August. The season runs February–June at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, black vultures 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
- Carrion and refuse
More social and aggressive than Turkey Vultures; large roosts gather on towers and rooftops.
Molting birds look scruffy and often skulk — don't be surprised if familiar visitors briefly vanish. Keep water fresh in the heat.
Full Black Vulture diet guide → · Best feeder for black vultures →
Watching black vultures this month
Black vultures 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 black vultures are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Black Vulture month by month
Black Vulture by state
Frequently asked
Where are black vultures in August?
In August, black vultures are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do black vultures nest in August?
No — black vultures typically nest February through June at mid-latitudes.
What do black vultures eat in August?
Carrion and refuse.
Sources
- Black Vulture — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Black Vulture life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Black Vulture — 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.