Red-headed Woodpecker in September
Where red-headed woodpeckers are in September, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
September in the Red-headed 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 Red-headed Woodpecker specifically, September is a fall month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 34 states and provinces where red-headed woodpeckers occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where red-headed woodpeckers are in September
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In September, red-headed 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
Red-headed woodpeckers are not nesting in September. The season runs May–July at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, red-headed woodpeckers 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
- Flying insects and beetles
A declining open-woodland species that visits yards with large dead limbs left standing.
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 Red-headed Woodpecker diet guide → · Best feeder for red-headed woodpeckers →
Watching red-headed woodpeckers this month
Red-headed 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.
The state guides below show exactly where in your region red-headed woodpeckers are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Red-headed Woodpecker month by month
Red-headed Woodpecker by state
Frequently asked
Where are red-headed woodpeckers in September?
In September, red-headed woodpeckers are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do red-headed woodpeckers nest in September?
No — red-headed woodpeckers typically nest May through July at mid-latitudes.
What do red-headed woodpeckers eat in September?
Flying insects and beetles.
Sources
- Red-headed Woodpecker — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Red-headed Woodpecker life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Red-headed Woodpecker — 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.