Spotted Towhee in August
Where spotted towhees are in August, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
August in the Spotted Towhee'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 Spotted Towhee specifically, August is a summer month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 20 states and provinces where spotted towhees occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where spotted towhees are in August
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In August, spotted towhees 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
Spotted towhees are not nesting in August. The season runs April–July at mid-latitudes, and up to a month later in the North.
Outside the nesting season, spotted towhees 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 and caterpillars
Scratches noisily under shrubs — leaf litter is prime habitat.
Molting birds look scruffy and often skulk — don't be surprised if familiar visitors briefly vanish. Keep water fresh in the heat.
Full Spotted Towhee diet guide → · Best feeder for spotted towhees →
Watching spotted towhees this month
Spotted towhees 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 spotted towhees are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Spotted Towhee month by month
Spotted Towhee by state
Frequently asked
Where are spotted towhees in August?
In August, spotted towhees are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do spotted towhees nest in August?
No — spotted towhees typically nest April through July at mid-latitudes.
What do spotted towhees eat in August?
Beetles and caterpillars.
Sources
- Spotted Towhee — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Spotted Towhee life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Spotted Towhee — 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.