Brewer's Blackbird in September
Where Brewer's blackbirds are in September, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
September in the Brewer's Blackbird'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 Brewer's Blackbird specifically, September is a fall month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 40 states and provinces where Brewer's blackbirds occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where Brewer's blackbirds are in September
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In September, Brewer's blackbirds 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
Brewer's blackbirds are not nesting in September. The season runs April–July at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, Brewer's blackbirds 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
- Grasshoppers, beetles, caterpillars and spiders
The confident black bird of western parking lots and picnic areas; walks rather than hops.
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 Brewer's Blackbird diet guide → · Best feeder for Brewer's blackbirds →
Watching Brewer's blackbirds this month
Brewer's blackbirds 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 Brewer's blackbirds are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Brewer's Blackbird month by month
Brewer's Blackbird by state
Frequently asked
Where are Brewer's blackbirds in September?
In September, Brewer's blackbirds are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do Brewer's blackbirds nest in September?
No — Brewer's blackbirds typically nest April through July at mid-latitudes.
What do Brewer's blackbirds eat in September?
Grasshoppers, beetles, caterpillars and spiders.
Sources
- Brewer's Blackbird — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Brewer's Blackbird life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Brewer's Blackbird — 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.