Western Kingbird in August
Where western kingbirds are in August, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
August in the Western Kingbird'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 Western Kingbird specifically, August is a summer month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 21 states and provinces where western kingbirds occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where western kingbirds are in August
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- summer breeder
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In August, western kingbirds 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
Western kingbirds 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, western kingbirds 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
- Grasshoppers, bees, wasps, beetles and flies
Hunts from fence wires over open lawns and pastures and fearlessly chases hawks off its territory.
Molting birds look scruffy and often skulk — don't be surprised if familiar visitors briefly vanish. Keep water fresh in the heat.
Full Western Kingbird diet guide → · Best feeder for western kingbirds →
Watching western kingbirds this month
Western kingbirds 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 western kingbirds are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Western Kingbird month by month
Western Kingbird by state
Frequently asked
Where are western kingbirds in August?
In August, western kingbirds are absent in the South, summer breeder across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do western kingbirds nest in August?
No — western kingbirds typically nest May through July at mid-latitudes.
What do western kingbirds eat in August?
Grasshoppers, bees, wasps, beetles and flies.
Sources
- Western Kingbird — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Western Kingbird life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Western Kingbird — 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.