Orchard Oriole in August
Where orchard orioles are in August, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
August in the Orchard Oriole'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 Orchard Oriole specifically, August is a summer month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 31 states and provinces where orchard orioles occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where orchard orioles are in August
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- summer breeder
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In August, orchard orioles 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
Orchard orioles are not nesting in August. The season runs May–June at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, orchard orioles 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
- Caterpillars, beetles and ants
- Mulberries
Arrives late April and leaves by August — one of the shortest stays of any songbird.
Molting birds look scruffy and often skulk — don't be surprised if familiar visitors briefly vanish. Keep water fresh in the heat.
Full Orchard Oriole diet guide → · Best feeder for orchard orioles →
Watching orchard orioles this month
Orchard orioles 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 orchard orioles are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Orchard Oriole month by month
Orchard Oriole by state
Frequently asked
Where are orchard orioles in August?
In August, orchard orioles are absent in the South, summer breeder across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do orchard orioles nest in August?
No — orchard orioles typically nest May through June at mid-latitudes.
What do orchard orioles eat in August?
Caterpillars, beetles and ants; Mulberries.
Sources
- Orchard Oriole — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Orchard Oriole life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Orchard Oriole — 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.