Red-shouldered Hawk in September
Where red-shouldered hawks are in September, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
September in the Red-shouldered Hawk'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-shouldered Hawk specifically, September is a fall month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 42 states and provinces where red-shouldered hawks occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where red-shouldered hawks are in September
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In September, red-shouldered hawks 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-shouldered hawks are not nesting in September. The season runs March–June at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, red-shouldered hawks 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
- Frogs, snakes, chipmunks and crayfish
A woodland hawk of leafy suburbs, often perching low over ponds and yards. Blue Jays copy its call.
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-shouldered Hawk diet guide → · Best feeder for red-shouldered hawks →
Watching red-shouldered hawks this month
Red-shouldered hawks 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-shouldered hawks are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Red-shouldered Hawk month by month
Red-shouldered Hawk by state
Frequently asked
Where are red-shouldered hawks in September?
In September, red-shouldered hawks are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do red-shouldered hawks nest in September?
No — red-shouldered hawks typically nest March through June at mid-latitudes.
What do red-shouldered hawks eat in September?
Frogs, snakes, chipmunks and crayfish.
Sources
- Red-shouldered Hawk — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Red-shouldered Hawk life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Red-shouldered Hawk — 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.