Wild Turkey in August
Where wild turkeys are in August, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
August in the Wild Turkey'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 Wild Turkey specifically, August is a summer month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 51 states and provinces where wild turkeys occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where wild turkeys are in August
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In August, wild turkeys 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
Wild turkeys are not nesting in August. The season runs March–June at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, wild turkeys 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, beetles, seeds and berries
Flocks visit rural feeding areas in winter; check local rules — feeding turkeys is restricted in some states.
Molting birds look scruffy and often skulk — don't be surprised if familiar visitors briefly vanish. Keep water fresh in the heat.
Full Wild Turkey diet guide → · Best feeder for wild turkeys →
Watching wild turkeys this month
Wild turkeys 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 wild turkeys are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Wild Turkey month by month
Wild Turkey by state
Frequently asked
Where are wild turkeys in August?
In August, wild turkeys are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do wild turkeys nest in August?
No — wild turkeys typically nest March through June at mid-latitudes.
What do wild turkeys eat in August?
Grasshoppers, beetles, seeds and berries.
Sources
- Wild Turkey — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Wild Turkey life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Wild Turkey — 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.