Lewis's Woodpecker in August
Where Lewis's woodpeckers are in August, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
August in the Lewis's Woodpecker'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 Lewis's Woodpecker specifically, August is a summer month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 15 states and provinces where Lewis's woodpeckers occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where Lewis's woodpeckers are in August
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In August, Lewis's woodpeckers 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
Lewis's woodpeckers are not nesting in August. The season runs May–July at mid-latitudes, and up to a month later in the North.
That makes August a useful month for nest-box work: cleaning out old nesting material, checking mounts and predator guards, and making repairs while boxes are empty. A box that's ready early gets claimed early.
What to feed in August
- Flying ants, grasshoppers and beetles
The most flycatcher-like woodpecker; stores acorns in bark cracks and defends the larder all winter.
Molting birds look scruffy and often skulk — don't be surprised if familiar visitors briefly vanish. Keep water fresh in the heat.
Full Lewis's Woodpecker diet guide → · Best feeder for Lewis's woodpeckers →
Watching Lewis's woodpeckers this month
Lewis's woodpeckers 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.
If you have a Lewis's Woodpecker box up, this is the month to make sure it's clean, secure and ready — the box guide below has the exact hole size and mounting height this species needs.
Lewis's Woodpecker month by month
Lewis's Woodpecker by state
Frequently asked
Where are Lewis's woodpeckers in August?
In August, Lewis's woodpeckers are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do Lewis's woodpeckers nest in August?
No — Lewis's woodpeckers typically nest May through July at mid-latitudes.
What do Lewis's woodpeckers eat in August?
Flying ants, grasshoppers and beetles.
Sources
- Lewis's Woodpecker — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Lewis's Woodpecker life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Lewis's Woodpecker — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- NestWatch nest box plans and species requirements — Cornell Lab
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.