Black-and-white Warbler in September
Where black-and-white warblers are in September, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
September in the Black-and-white Warbler'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 Black-and-white Warbler specifically, September is a fall month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 43 states and provinces where black-and-white warblers occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where black-and-white warblers are in September
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- mostly absent (migration only)
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In September, black-and-white warblers are absent in the South, mostly absent (migration only) 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
Black-and-white warblers are not nesting in September. The season runs May–July at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, black-and-white warblers 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
- Caterpillars, beetles, ants and spiders
The only warbler that habitually creeps on trunks; occasionally visits suet during cold migration snaps.
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 Black-and-white Warbler diet guide → · Best feeder for black-and-white warblers →
Watching black-and-white warblers this month
Black-and-white warblers 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 black-and-white warblers are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Black-and-white Warbler month by month
Black-and-white Warbler by state
Frequently asked
Where are black-and-white warblers in September?
In September, black-and-white warblers are absent in the South, mostly absent (migration only) across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do black-and-white warblers nest in September?
No — black-and-white warblers typically nest May through July at mid-latitudes.
What do black-and-white warblers eat in September?
Caterpillars, beetles, ants and spiders.
Sources
- Black-and-white Warbler — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Black-and-white Warbler life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Black-and-white Warbler — 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.