Green-tailed Towhee in September
Where green-tailed towhees are in September, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
September in the Green-tailed 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 Green-tailed Towhee 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 green-tailed towhees occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where green-tailed towhees are in September
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- mostly absent (migration only)
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In September, green-tailed towhees are absent in the South, mostly absent (migration only) 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
Green-tailed towhees are not nesting in September. The season runs May–July at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, green-tailed 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, ants and caterpillars
Scratches under mountain shrubbery and visits ground feeding areas near dense cover, especially on migration.
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 Green-tailed Towhee diet guide → · Best feeder for green-tailed towhees →
Watching green-tailed towhees this month
Green-tailed 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 green-tailed towhees are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Green-tailed Towhee month by month
Green-tailed Towhee by state
Frequently asked
Where are green-tailed towhees in September?
In September, green-tailed towhees are absent in the South, mostly absent (migration only) across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do green-tailed towhees nest in September?
No — green-tailed towhees typically nest May through July at mid-latitudes.
What do green-tailed towhees eat in September?
Beetles, ants and caterpillars.
Sources
- Green-tailed Towhee — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Green-tailed Towhee life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Green-tailed 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.