Rusty Blackbird in August

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 Rusty Blackbird specifically, August is a summer month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 34 states and provinces where rusty blackbirds occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.

Southern states

absent

Mid-latitudes

summer breeder

Northern states & Canada

absent

In August, rusty blackbirds 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.

Rusty blackbirds 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, rusty blackbirds 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.

• Caddisflies, dragonfly larvae and snails

One of North America's steepest declines — down over 85%. Report sightings to help track its recovery.

Molting birds look scruffy and often skulk — don't be surprised if familiar visitors briefly vanish. Keep water fresh in the heat.

Full Rusty Blackbird diet guide → · Best feeder for rusty blackbirds →

Rusty blackbirds 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 rusty blackbirds are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.

AlabamaAlaskaAlbertaArkansasBritish ColumbiaDelawareFloridaGeorgiaKentuckyLouisianaMaineManitobaMarylandMississippiNew BrunswickNew HampshireNew YorkNewfoundland and LabradorNorth CarolinaNorthwest Territories