Eastern Bluebird in September
Where bluebirds are in September, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
September in the Eastern Bluebird'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 Eastern Bluebird specifically, September is a fall month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 44 states and provinces where bluebirds occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where bluebirds are in September
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In September, bluebirds 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
Bluebirds are not nesting in September. The season runs April–August at mid-latitudes, and up to a month later in the North.
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
- Grasshoppers, crickets and beetles
- Caterpillars and spiders
Bluebirds hunt from perches over short grass. Put mealworm feeders in the open, near a low perch, and offer small amounts at the same time each day.
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 Eastern Bluebird diet guide → · Best feeder for bluebirds →
Watching bluebirds this month
Bluebirds 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 Eastern Bluebird 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.
Eastern Bluebird month by month
Eastern Bluebird by state
Frequently asked
Where are bluebirds in September?
In September, bluebirds are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do bluebirds nest in September?
No — bluebirds typically nest April through August at mid-latitudes.
What do bluebirds eat in September?
Grasshoppers, crickets and beetles; Caterpillars and spiders.
Sources
- Eastern Bluebird — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Eastern Bluebird life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Eastern Bluebird — 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.