Killdeer in August
Where killdeer are in August, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
August in the Killdeer'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 Killdeer specifically, August is a summer month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 61 states and provinces where killdeer occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where killdeer are in August
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In August, killdeer 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
Killdeer are not nesting in August. The season runs March–July at mid-latitudes, and up to a month later in the North.
Outside the nesting season, killdeer 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
- Beetles, grasshoppers, worms and snails
Nests on gravel driveways and rooftops and performs a broken-wing act to lure you from the nest.
Molting birds look scruffy and often skulk — don't be surprised if familiar visitors briefly vanish. Keep water fresh in the heat.
Watching killdeer this month
Killdeer 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 killdeer are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Killdeer month by month
Killdeer by state
Frequently asked
Where are killdeer in August?
In August, killdeer are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do killdeer nest in August?
No — killdeer typically nest March through July at mid-latitudes.
What do killdeer eat in August?
Beetles, grasshoppers, worms and snails.
Sources
- Killdeer — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Killdeer life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Killdeer — 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.