Greater Roadrunner in September
Where roadrunners are in September, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
September in the Greater Roadrunner'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 Greater Roadrunner specifically, September is a fall month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 12 states and provinces where roadrunners occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where roadrunners are in September
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In September, roadrunners 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
Roadrunners are not nesting in September. The season runs March–August at mid-latitudes, and up to a month later in the North.
Outside the nesting season, roadrunners 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
- Lizards, grasshoppers, scorpions and snakes
Runs at up to 20 mph rather than flying and sunbathes with its back feathers raised on cold mornings.
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 Greater Roadrunner diet guide → · Best feeder for roadrunners →
Watching roadrunners this month
Roadrunners 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 roadrunners are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Greater Roadrunner month by month
Greater Roadrunner by state
Frequently asked
Where are roadrunners in September?
In September, roadrunners are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do roadrunners nest in September?
No — roadrunners typically nest March through August at mid-latitudes.
What do roadrunners eat in September?
Lizards, grasshoppers, scorpions and snakes.
Sources
- Greater Roadrunner — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Greater Roadrunner life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Greater Roadrunner — 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.