Eastern Towhee in September
Where eastern towhees are in September, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
September in the Eastern Towhee'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 Towhee specifically, September is a fall month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 34 states and provinces where eastern towhees occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where eastern towhees are in September
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In September, eastern towhees 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
Eastern towhees are not nesting in September. The season runs May–July at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, eastern towhees 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
- Beetles, caterpillars and spiders
Towhees 'double-scratch' in leaf litter. Leave leaves under shrubs rather than raking them.
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 Towhee diet guide → · Best feeder for eastern towhees →
Watching eastern towhees this month
Eastern towhees 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 eastern towhees are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Eastern Towhee month by month
Eastern Towhee by state
Frequently asked
Where are eastern towhees in September?
In September, eastern towhees are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do eastern towhees nest in September?
No — eastern towhees typically nest May through July at mid-latitudes.
What do eastern towhees eat in September?
Beetles, caterpillars and spiders.
Sources
- Eastern Towhee — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Eastern Towhee life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Eastern Towhee — 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.