Purple Martin in September
Where purple martins are in September, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
September in the Purple Martin'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 Purple Martin specifically, September is a fall month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 47 states and provinces where purple martins occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where purple martins are in September
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- mostly absent (migration only)
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In September, purple martins 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
Purple martins 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
- Dragonflies, flies, beetles and moths
- Flying ants and wasps
Purple Martins do not use feeders. Supporting them means supplying correctly built colony housing in the open and managing House Sparrows and starlings.
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.
Watching purple martins this month
Purple martins 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 Purple Martin 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.
Purple Martin month by month
Purple Martin by state
Frequently asked
Where are purple martins in September?
In September, purple martins are absent in the South, mostly absent (migration only) across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do purple martins nest in September?
No — purple martins typically nest May through July at mid-latitudes.
What do purple martins eat in September?
Dragonflies, flies, beetles and moths; Flying ants and wasps.
Sources
- Purple Martin — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Purple Martin life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Purple Martin — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- Purple Martin Conservation Association — housing guidelines
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.