Birds to See in Virginia in August
134 bird species on our list for Virginia are recorded regularly in August
Of these, the most often recorded are Northern Cardinal, Mourning Dove, American Crow, Blue Jay and Tufted Titmouse. New this month: Magnolia Warbler, Pied-billed Grebe, Cape May Warbler and Northern Shoveler and 13 more.
On the move in August
GBIF · AugArriving
At their peak
Ruby-throated HummingbirdBusiest month of the year · Apr–Oct
OspreyBusiest month of the year · Mar–Nov
Great White EgretBusiest month of the year · All year
Least SandpiperBusiest month of the year · Apr–May
Semipalmated PloverBusiest month of the year · May–Nov
Solitary SandpiperBusiest month of the year · Apr–May
Leaving soon
From Virginia’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 134 birds in August
134 birds
Northern CardinalCardinalis cardinalisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 4.13% in Aug
Mourning DoveZenaida macrouraResidentCommon23–34 cmRecorded all year · 3.64% in Aug
American CrowCorvus brachyrhynchosResidentCommon41–53 cmRecorded all year · 3.20% in Aug
Blue JayCyanocitta cristataResidentCommon25–30 cmRecorded all year · 2.67% in Aug
Tufted TitmouseBaeolophus bicolorResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 2.27% in Aug- Ruby-throated HummingbirdArchilochus colubrisSummer visitorCommon7–9 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 2.11% in Aug
American RobinTurdus migratoriusResidentCommon20–28 cmRecorded all year · 1.95% in Aug
Eastern BluebirdSialia sialisResidentCommon16–21 cmRecorded all year · 1.92% in Aug
Downy WoodpeckerDryobates pubescensResidentCommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 1.91% in Aug
Red-bellied WoodpeckerMelanerpes carolinusResidentCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 1.88% in Aug
Turkey VultureCathartes auraResidentCommon62–81 cmRecorded all year · 1.84% in Aug
White-breasted NuthatchSitta carolinensisResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 1.81% in Aug
House FinchHaemorhous mexicanusResidentCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.68% in Aug
Great Blue HeronArdea herodiasResidentCommon91–137 cmRecorded all year · 1.67% in Aug
Gray CatbirdDumetella carolinensisSummer visitorCommon20–24 cmRecorded all year · 1.64% in Aug
Northern MockingbirdMimus polyglottosResidentCommon21–26 cmRecorded all year · 1.53% in Aug
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.42% in Aug- OspreyPandion haliaetusSummer visitorCommon54–58 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 1.38% in Aug
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 1.27% in Aug- Great White EgretArdea albaSummer visitorCommon80–104 cmRecorded all year · 1.24% in Aug
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 1.23% in Aug
Song SparrowMelospiza melodiaResidentCommon12–17 cmRecorded all year · 1.16% in Aug
Chipping SparrowSpizella passerinaSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.16% in Aug
Pileated WoodpeckerDryocopus pileatusResidentCommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 1.14% in Aug
Fish CrowCorvus ossifragusResidentCommon36–41 cmRecorded all year · 1.01% in Aug
Common GrackleQuiscalus quisculaSummer visitorCommon28–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.95% in Aug
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.93% in Aug
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.91% in Aug
Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceusResidentCommon17–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.72% in Aug
Northern FlickerColaptes auratusResidentCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 0.71% in Aug
Bald EagleHaliaeetus leucocephalusResidentCommon70–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.64% in Aug
Cedar WaxwingBombycilla cedrorumResidentCommon15–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.63% in Aug
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 0.62% in Aug
Great Crested FlycatcherMyiarchus crinitusSummer visitorCommon17–22 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.62% in Aug
Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensisResidentCommon45–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.47% in Aug
Wood DuckAix sponsaResidentCommon47–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.45% in Aug
Common YellowthroatGeothlypis trichasSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.44% in Aug
Common RavenCorvus coraxResidentCommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.42% in Aug
Ring-billed GullLarus delawarensisWinter visitorCommon43–54 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.41% in Aug
Hairy WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus villosusResidentCommon18–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.40% in Aug
Purple MartinProgne subisSummer visitorCommon18–20 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.40% in Aug- Least SandpiperCalidris minutillaPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.39% in Aug
American Herring GullLarus smithsonianusResidentCommon53–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.38% in Aug- Semipalmated PloverCharadrius semipalmatusSummer visitorUncommon17–19 cmRegularly May–Nov · 0.33% in Aug
Forster's TernSterna forsteriResidentUncommon33–36 cmRecorded all year · 0.29% in Aug- Solitary SandpiperTringa solitariaPassage migrantUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.28% in Aug
Semipalmated SandpiperCalidris pusillaSummer visitorUncommon15–18 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.27% in Aug
American RedstartSetophaga ruticillaSummer visitorCommon11–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.27% in Aug
Red-headed WoodpeckerMelanerpes erythrocephalusResidentUncommon19–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.25% in Aug
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinusResidentUncommon64–79 cmRecorded all year · 0.25% in Aug
Greater YellowlegsTringa melanoleucaResidentUncommon29–40 cmRecorded all year · 0.24% in Aug
Lesser YellowlegsTringa flavipesPassage migrantUncommon23–27 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.24% in Aug
Scarlet TanagerPiranga olivaceaSummer visitorCommon16–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.23% in Aug
Baltimore OrioleIcterus galbulaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.21% in Aug
WilletTringa semipalmataResidentUncommon33–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.19% in Aug
SanderlingCalidris albaResidentUncommon18–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.17% in Aug
Wild TurkeyMeleagris gallopavoResidentUncommon100–125 cmRecorded all year · 0.17% in Aug
Pectoral SandpiperCalidris melanotosPassage migrantUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.16% in Aug
Common TernSterna hirundoSummer visitorUncommon31–35 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.15% in Aug
Barred OwlStrix variaResidentUncommon43–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Aug
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaResidentUncommon27–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Aug
Northern Yellow WarblerSetophaga aestivaSummer visitorUncommon12–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.13% in Aug
Short-billed DowitcherLimnodromus griseusSummer visitorUncommon23–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in Aug
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresResidentUncommon21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in Aug
Broad-winged HawkButeo platypterusSummer visitorUncommon34–44 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.11% in Aug
Chestnut-sided WarblerSetophaga pensylvanicaSummer visitorUncommon10–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.10% in Aug
Blue-headed VireoVireo solitariusSummer visitorUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.10% in Aug
Eastern Screech-owlMegascops asioResidentUncommon16–25 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Aug
Prothonotary WarblerProtonotaria citreaSummer visitorUncommon13–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.09% in Aug
OvenbirdSeiurus aurocapillaSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.09% in Aug
Sandwich TernThalasseus sandvicensisSummer visitorUncommon36–41 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.08% in Aug
Glossy IbisPlegadis falcinellusSummer visitorUncommon48–66 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.07% in Aug
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusWinter visitorUncommon52–64 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Aug
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.06% in Aug
Black-throated Green WarblerSetophaga virensSummer visitorUncommon11–12 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.05% in Aug
Great Horned OwlBubo virginianusResidentUncommon46–63 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Aug
Common MerganserMergus merganserWinter visitorUncommon58–68 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Aug
BobolinkDolichonyx oryzivorusSummer visitorUncommon16–20 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.04% in Aug
Rose-breasted GrosbeakPheucticus ludovicianusSummer visitorUncommon18–22 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.04% in Aug
WhimbrelNumenius phaeopusSummer visitorRare40–46 cmRegularly Apr–Feb · 0.04% in Aug
Cattle EgretArdea ibisSummer visitorRare46–56 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.04% in Aug
Black TernChlidonias nigerPassage migrantRare22–26 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.04% in Aug
Black-crowned Night-heronNycticorax nycticoraxResidentUncommon58–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Aug
Magnolia WarblerSetophaga magnoliaPassage migrantCommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.04% in Aug
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusWinter visitorUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Aug
American Black DuckAnas rubripesWinter visitorUncommon54–59 cmRegularly Jul–Apr · 0.04% in Aug
Black-throated Blue WarblerSetophaga caerulescensSummer visitorUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.04% in Aug
Western SandpiperCalidris mauriWinter visitorRare14–17 cmRegularly Jul–Apr · 0.04% in Aug
Pied-billed GrebePodilymbus podicepsWinter visitorCommon31–38 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.04% in Aug
Horned LarkEremophila alpestrisWinter visitorUncommon16–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Aug
Stilt SandpiperCalidris himantopusPassage migrantRare18–23 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.03% in Aug
Cape May WarblerSetophaga tigrinaPassage migrantCommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.03% in Aug
Least FlycatcherEmpidonax minimusSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.03% in Aug
Northern WaterthrushParkesia noveboracensisPassage migrantUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.03% in Aug
Sharp-shinned HawkAccipiter striatusWinter visitorUncommon24–34 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.03% in Aug
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentRare30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Aug
Marbled GodwitLimosa fedoaWinter visitorRare40–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Aug
Mute SwanCygnus olorResidentUncommon140–160 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Aug
Gull-billed TernGelochelidon niloticaSummer visitorRare33–42 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.02% in Aug
Piping PloverCharadrius melodusSummer visitorRare17–18 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.02% in Aug
American AvocetRecurvirostra americanaSummer visitorRare43–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Aug
Willow FlycatcherEmpidonax trailliiSummer visitorUncommon13–17 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.02% in Aug
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataWinter visitorUncommon44–51 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.02% in Aug
Eurasian TealAnas creccaWinter visitorUncommon34–38 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.02% in Aug
Buff-breasted SandpiperCalidris subruficollisPassage migrantRare18–20 cmRegularly Aug–Oct · 0.02% in Aug
Red-necked PhalaropePhalaropus lobatusPassage migrantRare18–19 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.02% in Aug
White-rumped SandpiperCalidris fuscicollisSummer visitorRare15–18 cmRegularly May–Nov · 0.02% in Aug
Tennessee WarblerLeiothlypis peregrinaPassage migrantUncommon10–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.02% in Aug
VeeryCatharus fuscescensSummer visitorUncommon16–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.02% in Aug
Great ShearwaterArdenna gravisPassage migrantRare43–51 cmRegularly Jun–Oct · 0.02% in Aug
Wilson's PhalaropePhalaropus tricolorPassage migrantRare22–24 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.02% in Aug
Muscovy DuckCairina moschataResidentRare66–84 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Aug
MerlinFalco columbariusWinter visitorUncommon24–33 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.01% in Aug
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraSummer visitorRare15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Aug
Baird's SandpiperCalidris bairdiiPassage migrantRare14–17 cmRegularly Aug–Sep · 0.01% in Aug
Marsh WrenCistothorus palustrisWinter visitorUncommon10–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Aug
American Golden-PloverPluvialis dominicaPassage migrantRare24–28 cmRegularly Aug–Nov · 0.01% in Aug
Red KnotCalidris canutusSummer visitorRare23–26 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 0.01% in Aug
Hudsonian GodwitLimosa haemasticaPassage migrantRare36–42 cmRegularly Aug–Nov · 0.01% in Aug
Upland SandpiperBartramia longicaudaPassage migrantRare28–32 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.01% in Aug
Black-billed CuckooCoccyzus erythropthalmusSummer visitorRare28–32 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in Aug
Yellow-bellied FlycatcherEmpidonax flaviventrisPassage migrantRare13–15 cmRegularly Aug–Oct · 0.01% in Aug
Ruffed GrouseBonasa umbellusSummer visitorRare41–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Aug
Red JunglefowlGallus gallusResidentRare42–75 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Aug
Long-billed DowitcherLimnodromus scolopaceusWinter visitorRare27–30 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.00% in Aug
Mourning WarblerGeothlypis philadelphiaSummer visitorRare10–15 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.00% in Aug
DickcisselSpiza americanaSummer visitorRare14–16 cmRegularly May–Feb · 0.00% in Aug
Trumpeter SwanCygnus buccinatorWinter visitorRare139–157 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Aug
Virginia RailRallus limicolaResidentRare20–27 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Aug
Red-cockaded WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus borealisResidentRare20–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Aug
Helmeted GuineafowlNumida meleagrisResidentRare53–63 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Aug
Lark SparrowChondestes grammacusPassage migrantRare15–17 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.00% in Aug
Indian PeafowlPavo cristatusSummer visitorRare86–230 cmRegularly Jan–Nov · 0.00% in Aug
RuffCalidris pugnaxPassage migrantRare20–32 cmRegularly May–Aug · 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