Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay in September
Where Woodhouse's scrub-jays are in September, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
September in the Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay'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 Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay specifically, September is a fall month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 10 states and provinces where Woodhouse's scrub-jays occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where Woodhouse's scrub-jays are in September
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In September, Woodhouse's scrub-jays 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
Woodhouse's scrub-jays are not nesting in September. The season runs April–June at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, Woodhouse's scrub-jays 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
- Insects and berries
A bird of piñon-juniper and oak scrub; common in Great Basin and Southwest yards.
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 Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay diet guide → · Best feeder for Woodhouse's scrub-jays →
Watching Woodhouse's scrub-jays this month
Woodhouse's scrub-jays 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 Woodhouse's scrub-jays are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay month by month
Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay by state
Frequently asked
Where are Woodhouse's scrub-jays in September?
In September, Woodhouse's scrub-jays are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do Woodhouse's scrub-jays nest in September?
No — Woodhouse's scrub-jays typically nest April through June at mid-latitudes.
What do Woodhouse's scrub-jays eat in September?
Insects and berries.
Sources
- Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay — 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.