Birds to See in South Dakota in August
139 bird species on our list for South Dakota are recorded regularly in August
Of these, the most often recorded are Mourning Dove, Barn Swallow, American Robin, Turkey Vulture and House Sparrow. New this month: Sharp-shinned Hawk, Nashville Warbler, Tennessee Warbler and Merlin and 15 more.
On the move in August
GBIF · AugArriving
At their peak
From South 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 139 birds in August
139 birds
Mourning DoveZenaida macrouraSummer visitorCommon23–34 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 4.13% in Aug
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 3.31% in Aug
American RobinTurdus migratoriusResidentCommon20–28 cmRecorded all year · 2.94% in Aug
Turkey VultureCathartes auraSummer visitorCommon62–81 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 2.28% in Aug
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 1.86% in Aug
Western MeadowlarkSturnella neglectaSummer visitorCommon16–26 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 1.80% in Aug
Blue JayCyanocitta cristataResidentCommon25–30 cmRecorded all year · 1.70% in Aug
Great Blue HeronArdea herodiasSummer visitorCommon91–137 cmRecorded all year · 1.59% in Aug
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.54% in Aug
Northern FlickerColaptes auratusResidentCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 1.50% in Aug
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 1.47% in Aug
Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceusSummer visitorCommon17–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.43% in Aug
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentCommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 1.39% in Aug
Red-headed WoodpeckerMelanerpes erythrocephalusSummer visitorCommon19–23 cmRegularly May–Sep · 1.35% in Aug
Song SparrowMelospiza melodiaSummer visitorCommon12–17 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 1.28% in Aug
Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensisResidentCommon45–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.27% in Aug
Chipping SparrowSpizella passerinaSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 1.22% in Aug
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.22% in Aug
Ring-billed GullLarus delawarensisWinter visitorCommon43–54 cmRecorded all year · 1.14% in Aug
White-breasted NuthatchSitta carolinensisWinter visitorCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 1.13% in Aug
Common GrackleQuiscalus quisculaSummer visitorCommon28–34 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 1.12% in Aug
Downy WoodpeckerDryobates pubescensWinter visitorCommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 1.04% in Aug
Cedar WaxwingBombycilla cedrorumResidentCommon15–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.99% in Aug
Northern Yellow WarblerSetophaga aestivaSummer visitorCommon12–13 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.96% in Aug
House FinchHaemorhous mexicanusWinter visitorCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.95% in Aug
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 0.93% in Aug
Gray CatbirdDumetella carolinensisSummer visitorCommon20–24 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.93% in Aug
American CrowCorvus brachyrhynchosResidentCommon41–53 cmRecorded all year · 0.89% in Aug
Hairy WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus villosusWinter visitorCommon18–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.75% in Aug
Northern CardinalCardinalis cardinalisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.74% in Aug
Wood DuckAix sponsaSummer visitorCommon47–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.73% in Aug
Franklin's GullLeucophaeus pipixcanSummer visitorCommon32–36 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.64% in Aug
Western KingbirdTyrannus verticalisSummer visitorCommon20–24 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.61% in Aug
Baltimore OrioleIcterus galbulaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.60% in Aug
Great White EgretArdea albaSummer visitorCommon80–104 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.59% in Aug
Lesser YellowlegsTringa flavipesPassage migrantCommon23–27 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.59% in Aug
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraResidentCommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.58% in Aug
Pectoral SandpiperCalidris melanotosPassage migrantCommon19–23 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.56% in Aug
Black TernChlidonias nigerSummer visitorCommon22–26 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.56% in Aug
OspreyPandion haliaetusSummer visitorCommon54–58 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.54% in Aug
Bald EagleHaliaeetus leucocephalusWinter visitorCommon70–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.54% in Aug
Common YellowthroatGeothlypis trichasSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.50% in Aug
Pied-billed GrebePodilymbus podicepsSummer visitorCommon31–38 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.49% in Aug
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusResidentCommon50–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.48% in Aug
Least SandpiperCalidris minutillaPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.48% in Aug
Mountain BluebirdSialia currucoidesSummer visitorCommon15–18 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.44% in Aug
DickcisselSpiza americanaSummer visitorCommon14–16 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.43% in Aug
Wild TurkeyMeleagris gallopavoResidentCommon100–125 cmRecorded all year · 0.42% in Aug
Horned LarkEremophila alpestrisWinter visitorCommon16–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.41% in Aug
Ruby-throated HummingbirdArchilochus colubrisSummer visitorUncommon7–9 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.40% in Aug
Greater YellowlegsTringa melanoleucaPassage migrantCommon29–40 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.40% in Aug
American RedstartSetophaga ruticillaSummer visitorCommon11–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.40% in Aug
Lark SparrowChondestes grammacusSummer visitorCommon15–17 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.37% in Aug
Semipalmated SandpiperCalidris pusillaSummer visitorUncommon15–18 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.33% in Aug
Upland SandpiperBartramia longicaudaSummer visitorCommon28–32 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.32% in Aug
Purple MartinProgne subisSummer visitorUncommon18–20 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.31% in Aug
Red-bellied WoodpeckerMelanerpes carolinusWinter visitorCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.30% in Aug
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataSummer visitorCommon44–51 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.29% in Aug
Baird's SandpiperCalidris bairdiiPassage migrantUncommon14–17 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.29% in Aug
Yellow-rumped WarblerSetophaga coronataSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.28% in Aug
Pine SiskinSpinus pinusWinter visitorCommon11–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.27% in Aug
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.27% in Aug
Great Crested FlycatcherMyiarchus crinitusSummer visitorUncommon17–22 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.26% in Aug
GadwallMareca streperaResidentCommon46–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.26% in Aug
Forster's TernSterna forsteriSummer visitorUncommon33–36 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.25% in Aug
Solitary SandpiperTringa solitariaPassage migrantUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.24% in Aug
Stilt SandpiperCalidris himantopusSummer visitorUncommon18–23 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.23% in Aug
Burrowing OwlAthene cuniculariaSummer visitorUncommon19–25 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.22% in Aug
Marsh WrenCistothorus palustrisSummer visitorUncommon10–14 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.22% in Aug
Say's PhoebeSayornis sayaSummer visitorUncommon17–20 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.22% in Aug
American AvocetRecurvirostra americanaSummer visitorUncommon43–51 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.22% in Aug
Least FlycatcherEmpidonax minimusSummer visitorCommon12–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.21% in Aug
Ruddy DuckOxyura jamaicensisSummer visitorCommon35–43 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.20% in Aug
Wilson's PhalaropePhalaropus tricolorSummer visitorCommon22–24 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.20% in Aug
Common MerganserMergus merganserWinter visitorCommon58–68 cmRecorded all year · 0.19% in Aug
Red-naped SapsuckerSphyrapicus nuchalisSummer visitorUncommon19–21 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.19% in Aug
Long-billed DowitcherLimnodromus scolopaceusPassage migrantUncommon27–30 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.18% in Aug
Semipalmated PloverCharadrius semipalmatusPassage migrantUncommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.18% in Aug
Vesper SparrowPooecetes gramineusSummer visitorCommon13–17 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.16% in Aug
Rose-breasted GrosbeakPheucticus ludovicianusSummer visitorCommon18–22 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.16% in Aug
Black-crowned Night-heronNycticorax nycticoraxSummer visitorUncommon58–65 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.16% in Aug
Eastern BluebirdSialia sialisSummer visitorUncommon16–21 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in Aug
Clay-colored SparrowSpizella pallidaSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.15% in Aug
BobolinkDolichonyx oryzivorusSummer visitorCommon16–20 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.14% in Aug
Northern PintailAnas acutaSummer visitorCommon59–76 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in Aug
Great Horned OwlBubo virginianusWinter visitorCommon46–63 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Aug
Eurasian TealAnas creccaWinter visitorCommon34–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Aug
Golden EagleAquila chrysaetosWinter visitorCommon66–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Aug
Black-necked GrebePodiceps nigricollisSummer visitorUncommon28–34 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.10% in Aug
Ruby-crowned KingletCorthylio calendulaSummer visitorCommon9–11 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.10% in Aug
Willow FlycatcherEmpidonax trailliiSummer visitorUncommon13–17 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.09% in Aug
Cattle EgretArdea ibisSummer visitorUncommon46–56 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.08% in Aug
Lewis's WoodpeckerMelanerpes lewisSummer visitorUncommon26–28 cmRegularly Jan–Sep · 0.08% in Aug
Swamp SparrowMelospiza georgianaSummer visitorUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.08% in Aug
Nashville WarblerLeiothlypis ruficapillaPassage migrantUncommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.08% in Aug
Piping PloverCharadrius melodusSummer visitorUncommon17–18 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.08% in Aug
WilletTringa semipalmataSummer visitorUncommon33–41 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.07% in Aug
Swainson's ThrushCatharus ustulatusSummer visitorCommon16–20 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.06% in Aug
American BitternBotaurus lentiginosusSummer visitorUncommon58–85 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.06% in Aug
Marbled GodwitLimosa fedoaSummer visitorUncommon40–50 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.06% in Aug
OvenbirdSeiurus aurocapillaSummer visitorUncommon12–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.06% in Aug
Buff-breasted SandpiperCalidris subruficollisPassage migrantUncommon18–20 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.05% in Aug
Yellow-bellied SapsuckerSphyrapicus variusSummer visitorUncommon19–22 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.05% in Aug
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusSummer visitorUncommon34–58 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.05% in Aug
Virginia RailRallus limicolaSummer visitorUncommon20–27 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.04% in Aug
Broad-winged HawkButeo platypterusSummer visitorUncommon34–44 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.04% in Aug
Tennessee WarblerLeiothlypis peregrinaPassage migrantUncommon10–13 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.04% in Aug
Short-billed DowitcherLimnodromus griseusPassage migrantRare23–32 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.04% in Aug
Eastern Screech-owlMegascops asioWinter visitorUncommon16–25 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Aug
Trumpeter SwanCygnus buccinatorWinter visitorUncommon139–157 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Aug
Northern WaterthrushParkesia noveboracensisPassage migrantUncommon12–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.03% in Aug
American Three-toed WoodpeckerPicoides dorsalisSummer visitorRare21–24 cmRegularly Jan–Oct · 0.03% in Aug
Black-backed WoodpeckerPicoides arcticusSummer visitorRare21–24 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.03% in Aug
SanderlingCalidris albaSummer visitorUncommon18–20 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.03% in Aug
MerlinFalco columbariusWinter visitorUncommon24–33 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.03% in Aug
Sharp-shinned HawkAccipiter striatusWinter visitorUncommon24–34 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.02% in Aug
Pileated WoodpeckerDryocopus pileatusWinter visitorUncommon40–49 cmRegularly Oct–Aug · 0.02% in Aug
Blue-headed VireoVireo solitariusPassage migrantUncommon12–15 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.02% in Aug
Chestnut-sided WarblerSetophaga pensylvanicaPassage migrantUncommon10–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.02% in Aug
Scarlet TanagerPiranga olivaceaSummer visitorUncommon16–19 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.02% in Aug
Magnolia WarblerSetophaga magnoliaPassage migrantUncommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.02% in Aug
Mourning WarblerGeothlypis philadelphiaPassage migrantUncommon10–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.02% in Aug
Common LoonGavia immerSummer visitorUncommon66–91 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.02% in Aug
Red-necked PhalaropePhalaropus lobatusPassage migrantUncommon18–19 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.02% in Aug
Common TernSterna hirundoSummer visitorRare31–35 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.02% in Aug
Barred OwlStrix variaSummer visitorRare43–50 cmRegularly Dec–Sep · 0.01% in Aug
Grey PartridgePerdix perdixResidentRare28–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Aug
Bay-breasted WarblerSetophaga castaneaPassage migrantRare14–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in Aug
Philadelphia VireoVireo philadelphicusPassage migrantUncommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in Aug
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaResidentRare27–30 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in Aug
Red-necked GrebePodiceps grisegenaSummer visitorUncommon40–50 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.01% in Aug
American Golden-PloverPluvialis dominicaPassage migrantUncommon24–28 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in Aug
Black-billed CuckooCoccyzus erythropthalmusSummer visitorRare28–32 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in Aug
VeeryCatharus fuscescensSummer visitorUncommon16–19 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in Aug
Yellow-bellied FlycatcherEmpidonax flaviventrisPassage migrantRare13–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in Aug
Cinnamon TealSpatula cyanopteraSummer visitorRare36–43 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.01% in Aug
DunlinCalidris alpinaPassage migrantUncommon16–22 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in Aug
Black-throated Green WarblerSetophaga virensPassage migrantRare11–12 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.01% in Aug
American Black DuckAnas rubripesPassage migrantRare54–59 cmRegularly Aug–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