Black-backed Woodpecker in September
Where black-backed woodpeckers are in September, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
September in the Black-backed 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 Black-backed Woodpecker specifically, September is a fall month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 34 states and provinces where black-backed woodpeckers occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where black-backed woodpeckers are in September
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In September, black-backed 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
Black-backed woodpeckers are not nesting in September. The season runs May–July at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, black-backed 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
- Wood-boring beetle larvae in fire-killed trees
A fire specialist — flocks move into burns within a year and leave as the beetles run out.
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-backed Woodpecker diet guide → · Best feeder for black-backed woodpeckers →
Watching black-backed woodpeckers this month
Black-backed 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 black-backed woodpeckers are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Black-backed Woodpecker month by month
Black-backed Woodpecker by state
Frequently asked
Where are black-backed woodpeckers in September?
In September, black-backed woodpeckers are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do black-backed woodpeckers nest in September?
No — black-backed woodpeckers typically nest May through July at mid-latitudes.
What do black-backed woodpeckers eat in September?
Wood-boring beetle larvae in fire-killed trees.
Sources
- Black-backed Woodpecker — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Black-backed Woodpecker life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Black-backed 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.