Chimney Swift in August
Where chimney swifts are in August, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
August in the Chimney Swift'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 Chimney Swift specifically, August is a summer month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 42 states and provinces where chimney swifts occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where chimney swifts are in August
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- summer breeder
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In August, chimney swifts 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
Chimney swifts 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, chimney swifts 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, ants and aphids in flight
Leave an uncapped masonry chimney open April–October, or build a swift tower; populations have fallen by roughly two-thirds since 1966.
Molting birds look scruffy and often skulk — don't be surprised if familiar visitors briefly vanish. Keep water fresh in the heat.
Watching chimney swifts this month
Chimney swifts 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 chimney swifts are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Chimney Swift month by month
Chimney Swift by state
Frequently asked
Where are chimney swifts in August?
In August, chimney swifts are absent in the South, summer breeder across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do chimney swifts nest in August?
No — chimney swifts typically nest May through July at mid-latitudes.
What do chimney swifts eat in August?
Flies, beetles, ants and aphids in flight.
Sources
- Chimney Swift — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Chimney Swift life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Chimney Swift — 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.