Blue Jay in September
Where blue jays are in September, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
September in the Blue Jay'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 Blue Jay specifically, September is a fall month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 31 states and provinces where blue jays occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where blue jays are in September
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In September, blue jays 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
Blue jays are not nesting in September. The season runs April–July at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, blue jays 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 and grasshoppers
- Seeds and fruit
Jays carry several nuts at once in a throat pouch to cache. A dedicated peanut station reduces crowding at finch and chickadee feeders.
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.
Watching blue jays this month
Blue jays 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 blue jays are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Blue Jay month by month
Blue Jay by state
Frequently asked
Where are blue jays in September?
In September, blue jays are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do blue jays nest in September?
No — blue jays typically nest April through July at mid-latitudes.
What do blue jays eat in September?
Caterpillars, beetles and grasshoppers; Seeds and fruit.
Sources
- Blue Jay — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Blue Jay life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Blue Jay — 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.