Black-headed Grosbeak in September
Where black-headed grosbeaks are in September, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
September in the Black-headed Grosbeak'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-headed Grosbeak specifically, September is a fall month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 15 states and provinces where black-headed grosbeaks occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where black-headed grosbeaks are in September
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- mostly absent (migration only)
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In September, black-headed grosbeaks 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-headed grosbeaks are not nesting in September. The season runs May–July at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, black-headed grosbeaks 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
- Beetles and caterpillars
One of few birds that eats monarch butterflies; a summer feeder regular in the West.
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-headed Grosbeak diet guide → · Best feeder for black-headed grosbeaks →
Watching black-headed grosbeaks this month
Black-headed grosbeaks 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-headed grosbeaks are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Black-headed Grosbeak month by month
Black-headed Grosbeak by state
Frequently asked
Where are black-headed grosbeaks in September?
In September, black-headed grosbeaks are absent in the South, mostly absent (migration only) across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do black-headed grosbeaks nest in September?
No — black-headed grosbeaks typically nest May through July at mid-latitudes.
What do black-headed grosbeaks eat in September?
Beetles and caterpillars.
Sources
- Black-headed Grosbeak — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Black-headed Grosbeak life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Black-headed Grosbeak — 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.