Northern Mockingbird in September
Where mockingbirds are in September, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
September in the Northern Mockingbird'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 Mockingbird specifically, September is a fall month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 35 states and provinces where mockingbirds occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where mockingbirds are in September
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In September, mockingbirds 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
Mockingbirds 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, mockingbirds 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, grasshoppers and ants
Mockingbirds defend fruiting shrubs from other birds all winter; plant several berry bushes to spread them out.
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 Mockingbird diet guide → · Best feeder for mockingbirds →
Watching mockingbirds this month
Mockingbirds 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 mockingbirds are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Northern Mockingbird month by month
Northern Mockingbird by state
Frequently asked
Where are mockingbirds in September?
In September, mockingbirds are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do mockingbirds nest in September?
No — mockingbirds typically nest March through August at mid-latitudes.
What do mockingbirds eat in September?
Beetles, grasshoppers and ants.
Sources
- Northern Mockingbird — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Northern Mockingbird life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Northern Mockingbird — 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.