Burrowing Owl in September
Where burrowing owls are in September, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
September in the Burrowing Owl'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 Burrowing Owl specifically, September is a fall month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 20 states and provinces where burrowing owls occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where burrowing owls are in September
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In September, burrowing owls 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
Burrowing owls are not nesting in September. The season runs March–July at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, burrowing owls 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, scorpions and voles
Lives in prairie-dog and ground-squirrel burrows; artificial burrows are used where habitat is scarce.
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 Burrowing Owl diet guide → · Best feeder for burrowing owls →
Watching burrowing owls this month
Burrowing owls 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 burrowing owls are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Burrowing Owl month by month
Burrowing Owl by state
Frequently asked
Where are burrowing owls in September?
In September, burrowing owls are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do burrowing owls nest in September?
No — burrowing owls typically nest March through July at mid-latitudes.
What do burrowing owls eat in September?
Grasshoppers, beetles, scorpions and voles.
Sources
- Burrowing Owl — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Burrowing Owl life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Burrowing Owl — 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.