Lewis's Woodpecker in September
Where Lewis's woodpeckers are in September, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
September in the Lewis's Woodpecker'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 Lewis's Woodpecker specifically, September is a fall month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 15 states and provinces where Lewis's woodpeckers occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where Lewis's woodpeckers are in September
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In September, Lewis's woodpeckers 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
Lewis's woodpeckers are not nesting in September. The season runs May–July at mid-latitudes.
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
- Flying ants, grasshoppers and beetles
The most flycatcher-like woodpecker; stores acorns in bark cracks and defends the larder all winter.
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 Lewis's Woodpecker diet guide → · Best feeder for Lewis's woodpeckers →
Watching Lewis's woodpeckers this month
Lewis's woodpeckers 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 Lewis's Woodpecker 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.
Lewis's Woodpecker month by month
Lewis's Woodpecker by state
Frequently asked
Where are Lewis's woodpeckers in September?
In September, Lewis's woodpeckers are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do Lewis's woodpeckers nest in September?
No — Lewis's woodpeckers typically nest May through July at mid-latitudes.
What do Lewis's woodpeckers eat in September?
Flying ants, grasshoppers and beetles.
Sources
- Lewis's Woodpecker — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Lewis's Woodpecker life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Lewis's Woodpecker — 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.