Ruby-crowned Kinglet in September
Where ruby-crowned kinglets are in September, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
September in the Ruby-crowned Kinglet'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 Ruby-crowned Kinglet specifically, September is a fall month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 40 states and provinces where ruby-crowned kinglets occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where ruby-crowned kinglets are in September
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- mostly absent (migration only)
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In September, ruby-crowned kinglets 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
Ruby-crowned kinglets are not nesting in September. The season runs May–July at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, ruby-crowned kinglets 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
- Aphids, gnats, spiders and insect eggs
Winters in the south and visits suet feeders, hover-gleaning at branch tips between visits.
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 Ruby-crowned Kinglet diet guide → · Best feeder for ruby-crowned kinglets →
Watching ruby-crowned kinglets this month
Ruby-crowned kinglets 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 ruby-crowned kinglets are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet month by month
Ruby-crowned Kinglet by state
Frequently asked
Where are ruby-crowned kinglets in September?
In September, ruby-crowned kinglets are absent in the South, mostly absent (migration only) across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do ruby-crowned kinglets nest in September?
No — ruby-crowned kinglets typically nest May through July at mid-latitudes.
What do ruby-crowned kinglets eat in September?
Aphids, gnats, spiders and insect eggs.
Sources
- Ruby-crowned Kinglet — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Ruby-crowned Kinglet life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Ruby-crowned Kinglet — 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.