Northern Cardinal in September
Where cardinals are in September, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
September in the Northern Cardinal'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 Northern Cardinal specifically, September is a fall month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 44 states and provinces where cardinals occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where cardinals are in September
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In September, cardinals 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
Cardinals are not nesting in September. The season runs April–August at mid-latitudes, and up to a month later in the North.
Outside the nesting season, cardinals 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, grasshoppers and cicadas
- Wild grape, dogwood and blackberry fruit
Cardinals feed most actively at dawn and dusk and rarely use small-perch tube feeders. Place feeders within 10–15 ft of dense shrub cover they can retreat to.
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 Northern Cardinal diet guide → · Best feeder for cardinals →
Watching cardinals this month
Cardinals 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 cardinals are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Northern Cardinal month by month
Northern Cardinal by state
Frequently asked
Where are cardinals in September?
In September, cardinals are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do cardinals nest in September?
No — cardinals typically nest April through August at mid-latitudes.
What do cardinals eat in September?
Beetles, caterpillars, grasshoppers and cicadas; Wild grape, dogwood and blackberry fruit.
Sources
- Northern Cardinal — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Northern Cardinal life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Northern Cardinal — 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.