Common Yellowthroat in September
Where common yellowthroats are in September, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
September in the Common Yellowthroat'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 Common Yellowthroat specifically, September is a fall month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 61 states and provinces where common yellowthroats occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where common yellowthroats are in September
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In September, common yellowthroats 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
Common yellowthroats are not nesting in September. The season runs May–July at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, common yellowthroats 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, grasshoppers and spiders
A marsh and damp-thicket bird. Leave a wet, weedy corner in the yard and it may nest there.
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 Common Yellowthroat diet guide → · Best feeder for common yellowthroats →
Watching common yellowthroats this month
Common yellowthroats 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 common yellowthroats are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Common Yellowthroat month by month
Common Yellowthroat by state
Frequently asked
Where are common yellowthroats in September?
In September, common yellowthroats are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do common yellowthroats nest in September?
No — common yellowthroats typically nest May through July at mid-latitudes.
What do common yellowthroats eat in September?
Caterpillars, beetles, grasshoppers and spiders.
Sources
- Common Yellowthroat — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Common Yellowthroat life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Common Yellowthroat — 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.