Birds to See in North Dakota in August
137 bird species on our list for North Dakota are recorded regularly in August
Of these, the most often recorded are Mourning Dove, American Robin, Barn Swallow, Red-tailed Hawk and Northern Yellow Warbler. New this month: Pine Siskin, Swainson's Thrush, Tennessee Warbler and Blackpoll Warbler and 14 more.
On the move in August
GBIF · AugArriving
At their peak
Mourning DoveBusiest month of the year · Apr–Oct
Barn SwallowBusiest month of the year · May–Oct
Lesser YellowlegsBusiest month of the year · Apr–Oct
Ruby-throated HummingbirdBusiest month of the year · May–Sep
American RedstartBusiest month of the year · May–Sep
Least SandpiperBusiest month of the year · May
From North Dakota’s bird records, 2019–2024: arriving birds are regular this month but not last; leaving birds are regular this month but not next.
Other months
All 137 birds in August
137 birds
- Mourning DoveZenaida macrouraSummer visitorCommon23–34 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 4.09% in Aug
American RobinTurdus migratoriusResidentCommon20–28 cmRecorded all year · 2.62% in Aug- Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly May–Oct · 2.36% in Aug
Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensisSummer visitorCommon45–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.67% in Aug
Northern Yellow WarblerSetophaga aestivaSummer visitorCommon12–13 cmRegularly May–Sep · 1.65% in Aug
Ring-billed GullLarus delawarensisSummer visitorCommon43–54 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 1.57% in Aug
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.54% in Aug
Chipping SparrowSpizella passerinaSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 1.54% in Aug
Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceusSummer visitorCommon17–23 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 1.54% in Aug
Song SparrowMelospiza melodiaSummer visitorCommon12–17 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 1.53% in Aug
Cedar WaxwingBombycilla cedrorumResidentCommon15–18 cmRecorded all year · 1.50% in Aug
House SparrowPasser domesticusWinter visitorCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 1.48% in Aug
Canada GooseBranta canadensisWinter visitorCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 1.44% in Aug
White-breasted NuthatchSitta carolinensisWinter visitorCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 1.28% in Aug
American CrowCorvus brachyrhynchosWinter visitorCommon41–53 cmRecorded all year · 1.25% in Aug
Northern FlickerColaptes auratusResidentCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 1.15% in Aug
Downy WoodpeckerDryobates pubescensWinter visitorCommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 1.12% in Aug
Gray CatbirdDumetella carolinensisSummer visitorCommon20–24 cmRegularly May–Oct · 1.08% in Aug
House FinchHaemorhous mexicanusWinter visitorCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.05% in Aug
Common GrackleQuiscalus quisculaSummer visitorCommon28–34 cmRecorded all year · 1.05% in Aug
Western MeadowlarkSturnella neglectaSummer visitorCommon16–26 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 1.02% in Aug
Franklin's GullLeucophaeus pipixcanSummer visitorCommon32–36 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.99% in Aug
Blue JayCyanocitta cristataWinter visitorCommon25–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.94% in Aug- Lesser YellowlegsTringa flavipesSummer visitorCommon23–27 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.93% in Aug
Least FlycatcherEmpidonax minimusSummer visitorCommon12–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.93% in Aug
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoWinter visitorCommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.92% in Aug- Ruby-throated HummingbirdArchilochus colubrisSummer visitorCommon7–9 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.91% in Aug
Great Blue HeronArdea herodiasSummer visitorCommon91–137 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.90% in Aug
Western KingbirdTyrannus verticalisSummer visitorCommon20–24 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.88% in Aug
Hairy WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus villosusWinter visitorCommon18–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.80% in Aug- American RedstartSetophaga ruticillaSummer visitorCommon11–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.78% in Aug
Turkey VultureCathartes auraSummer visitorCommon62–81 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.75% in Aug
Rock DoveColumba liviaWinter visitorCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 0.75% in Aug
Black TernChlidonias nigerSummer visitorCommon22–26 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.69% in Aug
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataSummer visitorCommon44–51 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.67% in Aug- Least SandpiperCalidris minutillaPassage migrantCommon13–15 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.66% in Aug
Greater YellowlegsTringa melanoleucaPassage migrantCommon29–40 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.66% in Aug
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.64% in Aug
GadwallMareca streperaSummer visitorCommon46–56 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.63% in Aug
Wood DuckAix sponsaSummer visitorCommon47–54 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.59% in Aug
Clay-colored SparrowSpizella pallidaSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.59% in Aug
Purple MartinProgne subisSummer visitorCommon18–20 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.55% in Aug
Common YellowthroatGeothlypis trichasSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.54% in Aug
Pectoral SandpiperCalidris melanotosPassage migrantCommon19–23 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.53% in Aug
Bald EagleHaliaeetus leucocephalusWinter visitorCommon70–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.52% in Aug
Semipalmated SandpiperCalidris pusillaSummer visitorCommon15–18 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.51% in Aug
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaSummer visitorCommon12–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.50% in Aug
Pied-billed GrebePodilymbus podicepsSummer visitorCommon31–38 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.48% in Aug
Horned LarkEremophila alpestrisWinter visitorCommon16–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.47% in Aug
Baltimore OrioleIcterus galbulaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.47% in Aug
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusResidentCommon50–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.47% in Aug
Ruddy DuckOxyura jamaicensisSummer visitorCommon35–43 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.46% in Aug
Wilson's PhalaropePhalaropus tricolorSummer visitorCommon22–24 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.46% in Aug
American AvocetRecurvirostra americanaSummer visitorUncommon43–51 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.44% in Aug
Baird's SandpiperCalidris bairdiiSummer visitorUncommon14–17 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.44% in Aug
Vesper SparrowPooecetes gramineusSummer visitorCommon13–17 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.41% in Aug
Great White EgretArdea albaSummer visitorCommon80–104 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.41% in Aug
Lark SparrowChondestes grammacusSummer visitorCommon15–17 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.37% in Aug
Northern PintailAnas acutaSummer visitorCommon59–76 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.36% in Aug
Black-necked GrebePodiceps nigricollisSummer visitorCommon28–34 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.36% in Aug
Rose-breasted GrosbeakPheucticus ludovicianusSummer visitorCommon18–22 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.34% in Aug
Stilt SandpiperCalidris himantopusSummer visitorUncommon18–23 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.34% in Aug
Semipalmated PloverCharadrius semipalmatusPassage migrantUncommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.33% in Aug
Upland SandpiperBartramia longicaudaSummer visitorCommon28–32 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.31% in Aug
Eurasian TealAnas creccaSummer visitorCommon34–38 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.31% in Aug
MerlinFalco columbariusWinter visitorCommon24–33 cmRecorded all year · 0.30% in Aug
Marsh WrenCistothorus palustrisSummer visitorCommon10–14 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.29% in Aug
Forster's TernSterna forsteriSummer visitorUncommon33–36 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.29% in Aug
Long-billed DowitcherLimnodromus scolopaceusPassage migrantUncommon27–30 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.28% in Aug
Say's PhoebeSayornis sayaSummer visitorUncommon17–20 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.27% in Aug
Solitary SandpiperTringa solitariaPassage migrantUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.26% in Aug
Red-headed WoodpeckerMelanerpes erythrocephalusSummer visitorUncommon19–23 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.26% in Aug
Great Crested FlycatcherMyiarchus crinitusSummer visitorUncommon17–22 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.25% in Aug
Northern CardinalCardinalis cardinalisWinter visitorCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.25% in Aug
BobolinkDolichonyx oryzivorusSummer visitorCommon16–20 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.24% in Aug
Marbled GodwitLimosa fedoaSummer visitorCommon40–50 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.24% in Aug
Tennessee WarblerLeiothlypis peregrinaPassage migrantCommon10–13 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.24% in Aug
Pine SiskinSpinus pinusWinter visitorCommon11–14 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.23% in Aug
WilletTringa semipalmataSummer visitorCommon33–41 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.23% in Aug
Wild TurkeyMeleagris gallopavoResidentCommon100–125 cmRecorded all year · 0.22% in Aug
Yellow-bellied SapsuckerSphyrapicus variusSummer visitorUncommon19–22 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.20% in Aug
Northern WaterthrushParkesia noveboracensisSummer visitorUncommon12–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.18% in Aug
Black-crowned Night-heronNycticorax nycticoraxSummer visitorUncommon58–65 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.17% in Aug
Red-necked PhalaropePhalaropus lobatusSummer visitorUncommon18–19 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.17% in Aug
Eastern BluebirdSialia sialisSummer visitorUncommon16–21 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.17% in Aug
Grey PartridgePerdix perdixWinter visitorCommon28–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.17% in Aug
OvenbirdSeiurus aurocapillaSummer visitorUncommon12–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.16% in Aug
Hooded MerganserLophodytes cucullatusSummer visitorCommon40–49 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.15% in Aug
Great Horned OwlBubo virginianusWinter visitorCommon46–63 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in Aug
Chestnut-sided WarblerSetophaga pensylvanicaPassage migrantUncommon10–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.13% in Aug
Common RavenCorvus coraxWinter visitorCommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Aug
Willow FlycatcherEmpidonax trailliiSummer visitorUncommon13–17 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.13% in Aug
Mourning WarblerGeothlypis philadelphiaPassage migrantUncommon10–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.12% in Aug
SanderlingCalidris albaSummer visitorUncommon18–20 cmRegularly May–Nov · 0.12% in Aug
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaSummer visitorUncommon27–30 cmRegularly May–Nov · 0.11% in Aug
Short-billed DowitcherLimnodromus griseusPassage migrantUncommon23–32 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.11% in Aug
Red-bellied WoodpeckerMelanerpes carolinusWinter visitorCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Aug
Mountain BluebirdSialia currucoidesSummer visitorUncommon15–18 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.09% in Aug
Nashville WarblerLeiothlypis ruficapillaPassage migrantUncommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.09% in Aug
Red-necked GrebePodiceps grisegenaSummer visitorUncommon40–50 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.09% in Aug
American BitternBotaurus lentiginosusSummer visitorUncommon58–85 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.09% in Aug
Magnolia WarblerSetophaga magnoliaPassage migrantUncommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.09% in Aug
Pileated WoodpeckerDryocopus pileatusWinter visitorCommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Aug
Blue-headed VireoVireo solitariusPassage migrantUncommon12–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.08% in Aug
Trumpeter SwanCygnus buccinatorSummer visitorUncommon139–157 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.08% in Aug
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusSummer visitorUncommon34–58 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.08% in Aug
Swainson's ThrushCatharus ustulatusPassage migrantCommon16–20 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.07% in Aug
Common TernSterna hirundoSummer visitorUncommon31–35 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.07% in Aug
Alder FlycatcherEmpidonax alnorumPassage migrantUncommon13–17 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.07% in Aug
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraWinter visitorUncommon15–17 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.07% in Aug
Yellow-bellied FlycatcherEmpidonax flaviventrisPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.07% in Aug
Buff-breasted SandpiperCalidris subruficollisPassage migrantUncommon18–20 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.07% in Aug
Golden EagleAquila chrysaetosWinter visitorCommon66–102 cmRegularly Jun–Apr · 0.06% in Aug
Broad-winged HawkButeo platypterusPassage migrantUncommon34–44 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.06% in Aug
DickcisselSpiza americanaPassage migrantUncommon14–16 cmRegularly Jun–Aug · 0.06% in Aug
Burrowing OwlAthene cuniculariaSummer visitorUncommon19–25 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.06% in Aug
OspreyPandion haliaetusSummer visitorUncommon54–58 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.06% in Aug
Virginia RailRallus limicolaSummer visitorUncommon20–27 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.05% in Aug
Philadelphia VireoVireo philadelphicusPassage migrantUncommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.05% in Aug
Hudsonian GodwitLimosa haemasticaSummer visitorUncommon36–42 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.05% in Aug
Swamp SparrowMelospiza georgianaSummer visitorUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.05% in Aug
Common LoonGavia immerSummer visitorUncommon66–91 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.05% in Aug
Cattle EgretArdea ibisSummer visitorUncommon46–56 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.04% in Aug
Blackpoll WarblerSetophaga striataPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.04% in Aug
Bonaparte's GullChroicocephalus philadelphiaPassage migrantUncommon28–38 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.04% in Aug
Piping PloverCharadrius melodusSummer visitorUncommon17–18 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.03% in Aug
Horned GrebePodiceps auritusSummer visitorUncommon31–38 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.03% in Aug
American Black DuckAnas rubripesSummer visitorRare54–59 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.02% in Aug
Bay-breasted WarblerSetophaga castaneaPassage migrantUncommon14–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.02% in Aug
VeeryCatharus fuscescensSummer visitorUncommon16–19 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.02% in Aug
American Golden-PloverPluvialis dominicaPassage migrantUncommon24–28 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.02% in Aug
Scarlet TanagerPiranga olivaceaSummer visitorRare16–19 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.02% in Aug
Black-billed CuckooCoccyzus erythropthalmusSummer visitorRare28–32 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in Aug
Eastern Screech-owlMegascops asioWinter visitorUncommon16–25 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.01% in Aug
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresSummer visitorUncommon21–24 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.01% in Aug
Ruffed GrouseBonasa umbellusSummer visitorRare41–50 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.00% in Aug
Black-throated Green WarblerSetophaga virensPassage migrantRare11–12 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.00% in Aug
Data: EOD – eBird Observation Dataset (Cornell Lab of Ornithology), accessed via GBIF.org, CC BY 4.0. Records from 2019–2024, aggregated and filtered by Birdfact. How these lists are made