Downy Woodpecker in September
Where downy woodpeckers are in September, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
September in the Downy Woodpecker'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 Downy Woodpecker specifically, September is a fall month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 60 states and provinces where downy woodpeckers occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where downy woodpeckers are in September
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In September, downy woodpeckers 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
Downy woodpeckers are not nesting in September. The season runs April–June at mid-latitudes.
That makes September a useful month for nest-box work: cleaning out old nesting material, checking mounts and predator guards, and making repairs while boxes are empty. A box that's ready early gets claimed early.
What to feed in September
- Beetle larvae and ants
- Caterpillars and gall insects
The smallest North American woodpecker and the most frequent at feeders. A tail-prop suet feeder gives them a natural feeding posture.
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 Downy Woodpecker diet guide → · Best feeder for downy woodpeckers →
Watching downy woodpeckers this month
Downy woodpeckers 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.
If you have a Downy Woodpecker box up, this is the month to make sure it's clean, secure and ready — the box guide below has the exact hole size and mounting height this species needs.
Downy Woodpecker month by month
Downy Woodpecker by state
Frequently asked
Where are downy woodpeckers in September?
In September, downy woodpeckers are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do downy woodpeckers nest in September?
No — downy woodpeckers typically nest April through June at mid-latitudes.
What do downy woodpeckers eat in September?
Beetle larvae and ants; Caterpillars and gall insects.
Sources
- Downy Woodpecker — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Downy Woodpecker life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Downy Woodpecker — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- NestWatch nest box plans and species requirements — Cornell Lab
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.