Sharp-shinned Hawk in September
Where sharp-shinned hawks are in September, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
September in the Sharp-shinned 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 Sharp-shinned Hawk specifically, September is a fall month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 61 states and provinces where sharp-shinned hawks occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where sharp-shinned hawks are in September
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In September, sharp-shinned 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
Sharp-shinned hawks are not nesting in September. The season runs April–June at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, sharp-shinned 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
- Warblers, sparrows and finches
A winter regular at busy feeders; dense shrub cover near feeding areas gives small birds an escape route.
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 Sharp-shinned Hawk diet guide → · Best feeder for sharp-shinned hawks →
Watching sharp-shinned hawks this month
Sharp-shinned 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 sharp-shinned hawks are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Sharp-shinned Hawk month by month
Sharp-shinned Hawk by state
Frequently asked
Where are sharp-shinned hawks in September?
In September, sharp-shinned hawks are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do sharp-shinned hawks nest in September?
No — sharp-shinned hawks typically nest April through June at mid-latitudes.
What do sharp-shinned hawks eat in September?
Warblers, sparrows and finches.
Sources
- Sharp-shinned Hawk — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Sharp-shinned Hawk life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Sharp-shinned 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.