American Three-toed Woodpecker in September
Where American three-toed woodpeckers are in September, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
September in the American Three-toed Woodpecker's year
September is the peak of fall migration. Huge numbers of birds move south on cold fronts, mixed flocks form, and summer residents slip away almost unnoticed. Young birds making their first migration appear in places the species rarely visits.
For the American Three-toed Woodpecker specifically, September is a fall month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 19 states and provinces where American three-toed woodpeckers occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where American three-toed woodpeckers are in September
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In September, American three-toed woodpeckers 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 September
American three-toed woodpeckers are not nesting in September. The season runs May–July at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, American three-toed woodpeckers 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 September
- Spruce bark beetles and larvae
Strips bark from spruces in slow, quiet patches; often in beetle-killed or burned stands.
Migrants passing through may stop at feeders for a day and never return — September rewards watching closely. Natural seed and fruit crops are abundant, so feeder traffic can be uneven.
Full American Three-toed Woodpecker diet guide → · Best feeder for American three-toed woodpeckers →
Watching American three-toed woodpeckers this month
American three-toed woodpeckers are settled and predictable in September, 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 American three-toed woodpeckers are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
American Three-toed Woodpecker month by month
American Three-toed Woodpecker by state
Frequently asked
Where are American three-toed woodpeckers in September?
In September, American three-toed woodpeckers are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do American three-toed woodpeckers nest in September?
No — American three-toed woodpeckers typically nest May through July at mid-latitudes.
What do American three-toed woodpeckers eat in September?
Spruce bark beetles and larvae.
Sources
- American Three-toed Woodpecker — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- American Three-toed Woodpecker life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- American Three-toed Woodpecker — 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.