Eastern Whip-poor-will in August
Where whip-poor-wills are in August, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
August in the Eastern Whip-poor-will'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 Whip-poor-will specifically, August is a summer month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 44 states and provinces where whip-poor-wills occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where whip-poor-wills are in August
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- summer breeder
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In August, whip-poor-wills 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
Whip-poor-wills 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, whip-poor-wills 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
- Moths, beetles, mosquitoes and winged ants
Heard rather than seen; times its nesting to the moon so bright nights coincide with feeding young.
Molting birds look scruffy and often skulk — don't be surprised if familiar visitors briefly vanish. Keep water fresh in the heat.
Full Eastern Whip-poor-will diet guide → · Best feeder for whip-poor-wills →
Watching whip-poor-wills this month
Whip-poor-wills 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 whip-poor-wills are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Eastern Whip-poor-will month by month
Eastern Whip-poor-will by state
Frequently asked
Where are whip-poor-wills in August?
In August, whip-poor-wills are absent in the South, summer breeder across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do whip-poor-wills nest in August?
No — whip-poor-wills typically nest May through July at mid-latitudes.
What do whip-poor-wills eat in August?
Moths, beetles, mosquitoes and winged ants.
Sources
- Eastern Whip-poor-will — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Eastern Whip-poor-will life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Eastern Whip-poor-will — 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.