Hoary Redpoll in August
Where hoary redpolls are in August, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
August in the Hoary Redpoll'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 Hoary Redpoll specifically, August is a summer month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 37 states and provinces where hoary redpolls occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where hoary redpolls are in August
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In August, hoary redpolls 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
Hoary redpolls are not nesting in August. The season runs June–July at mid-latitudes, and up to a month later in the North.
Outside the nesting season, hoary redpolls 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
- Birch and willow seeds; insects
The prize in any redpoll flock — scan large winter nyjer flocks for the palest, frostiest bird.
Molting birds look scruffy and often skulk — don't be surprised if familiar visitors briefly vanish. Keep water fresh in the heat.
Full Hoary Redpoll diet guide → · Best feeder for hoary redpolls →
Watching hoary redpolls this month
Hoary redpolls 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 hoary redpolls are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Hoary Redpoll month by month
Hoary Redpoll by state
Frequently asked
Where are hoary redpolls in August?
In August, hoary redpolls are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do hoary redpolls nest in August?
No — hoary redpolls typically nest June through July at mid-latitudes.
What do hoary redpolls eat in August?
Birch and willow seeds; insects.
Sources
- Hoary Redpoll — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Hoary Redpoll life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Hoary Redpoll — 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.