Peregrine Falcon in September
Where peregrine falcons are in September, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
September in the Peregrine Falcon'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 Peregrine Falcon specifically, September is a fall month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 62 states and provinces where peregrine falcons occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where peregrine falcons are in September
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In September, peregrine falcons 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
Peregrine falcons are not nesting in September. The season runs March–June at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, peregrine falcons 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
- Pigeons, doves, starlings and shorebirds
Nests on skyscrapers and bridges, hunting feral pigeons; a conservation success story since DDT.
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 Peregrine Falcon diet guide → · Best feeder for peregrine falcons →
Watching peregrine falcons this month
Peregrine falcons 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 peregrine falcons are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Peregrine Falcon month by month
Peregrine Falcon by state
Frequently asked
Where are peregrine falcons in September?
In September, peregrine falcons are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do peregrine falcons nest in September?
No — peregrine falcons typically nest March through June at mid-latitudes.
What do peregrine falcons eat in September?
Pigeons, doves, starlings and shorebirds.
Sources
- Peregrine Falcon — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Peregrine Falcon life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Peregrine Falcon — 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.