Violet-green Swallow in September
Where violet-green swallows are in September, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
September in the Violet-green Swallow'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 Violet-green Swallow specifically, September is a fall month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 16 states and provinces where violet-green swallows occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where violet-green swallows are in September
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- mostly absent (migration only)
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In September, violet-green swallows 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
Violet-green swallows 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
- Flies and midges
Uses nest boxes in western towns and forests.
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 violet-green swallows this month
Violet-green swallows 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 Violet-green Swallow 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.
Violet-green Swallow month by month
Violet-green Swallow by state
Frequently asked
Where are violet-green swallows in September?
In September, violet-green swallows are absent in the South, mostly absent (migration only) across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do violet-green swallows nest in September?
No — violet-green swallows typically nest May through July at mid-latitudes.
What do violet-green swallows eat in September?
Flies and midges.
Sources
- Violet-green Swallow — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Violet-green Swallow life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Violet-green Swallow — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- NestWatch nest box plans and species requirements — Cornell Lab
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.