Western Screech-Owl in September
Where western screech-owls are in September, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
September in the Western Screech-Owl'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 Western Screech-Owl specifically, September is a fall month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 14 states and provinces where western screech-owls occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where western screech-owls are in September
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In September, western screech-owls 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
Western screech-owls are not nesting in September. The season runs March–June 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
- Moths, beetles, crickets and mice
Roosts in cavities and nest boxes by day; a screech-owl box in a shady tree is often occupied.
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 Western Screech-Owl diet guide → · Best feeder for western screech-owls →
Watching western screech-owls this month
Western screech-owls 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 Western Screech-Owl 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.
Western Screech-Owl month by month
Western Screech-Owl by state
Frequently asked
Where are western screech-owls in September?
In September, western screech-owls are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do western screech-owls nest in September?
No — western screech-owls typically nest March through June at mid-latitudes.
What do western screech-owls eat in September?
Moths, beetles, crickets and mice.
Sources
- Western Screech-Owl — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Western Screech-Owl life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Western Screech-Owl — 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.