Gray Catbird in September
Where catbirds are in September, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
September in the Gray Catbird'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 Gray Catbird specifically, September is a fall month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 55 states and provinces where catbirds occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where catbirds are in September
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In September, catbirds 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
Catbirds are not nesting in September. The season runs May–July at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, catbirds 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
- Ants, beetles and caterpillars
Catbirds rarely eat seed but visit oriole jelly feeders and fruiting shrubs; dense thickets bring them in.
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.
Watching catbirds this month
Catbirds 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 catbirds are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Gray Catbird month by month
Gray Catbird by state
Frequently asked
Where are catbirds in September?
In September, catbirds are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do catbirds nest in September?
No — catbirds typically nest May through July at mid-latitudes.
What do catbirds eat in September?
Ants, beetles and caterpillars.
Sources
- Gray Catbird — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Gray Catbird life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Gray Catbird — 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.