Eastern Meadowlark in August
Where meadowlarks are in August, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
August in the Eastern Meadowlark'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 Eastern Meadowlark specifically, August is a summer month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 41 states and provinces where meadowlarks occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where meadowlarks are in August
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In August, meadowlarks 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
Meadowlarks are not nesting in August. The season runs April–July at mid-latitudes, and up to a month later in the North.
Outside the nesting season, meadowlarks 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
- Grasshoppers, crickets and caterpillars
A grassland bird of pastures and big rural lawns; mowed field edges with scattered cover suit it best.
Molting birds look scruffy and often skulk — don't be surprised if familiar visitors briefly vanish. Keep water fresh in the heat.
Full Eastern Meadowlark diet guide → · Best feeder for meadowlarks →
Watching meadowlarks this month
Meadowlarks 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 meadowlarks are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Eastern Meadowlark month by month
Eastern Meadowlark by state
Frequently asked
Where are meadowlarks in August?
In August, meadowlarks are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do meadowlarks nest in August?
No — meadowlarks typically nest April through July at mid-latitudes.
What do meadowlarks eat in August?
Grasshoppers, crickets and caterpillars.
Sources
- Eastern Meadowlark — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Eastern Meadowlark life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Eastern Meadowlark — 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.