Birds to See in British Columbia in September
176 bird species on our list for British Columbia are recorded regularly in September
Of these, the most often recorded are American Crow, Northern Flicker, Song Sparrow, American Robin and Common Raven. New this month: Fox Sparrow, Snow Goose, Cackling Goose and Iceland Gull and 11 more.
On the move in September
GBIF · SepArriving
At their peak
From British Columbia’s bird records, 2019–2024: arriving birds are regular this month but not last; leaving birds are regular this month but not next.
Other months
All 176 birds in September
176 birds
American CrowCorvus brachyrhynchosResidentCommon41–53 cmRecorded all year · 2.92% in Sep
Northern FlickerColaptes auratusResidentCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 2.92% in Sep
Song SparrowMelospiza melodiaResidentCommon12–17 cmRecorded all year · 2.57% in Sep
American RobinTurdus migratoriusResidentCommon20–28 cmRecorded all year · 2.48% in Sep
Common RavenCorvus coraxResidentCommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 2.38% in Sep
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 2.13% in Sep
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 1.89% in Sep
Great Blue HeronArdea herodiasResidentCommon91–137 cmRecorded all year · 1.81% in Sep
White-crowned SparrowZonotrichia leucophrysResidentCommon15–16 cmRecorded all year · 1.70% in Sep
Yellow-rumped WarblerSetophaga coronataSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 1.62% in Sep
House FinchHaemorhous mexicanusResidentCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.58% in Sep
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.43% in Sep
Turkey VultureCathartes auraSummer visitorCommon62–81 cmRecorded all year · 1.17% in Sep
Cedar WaxwingBombycilla cedrorumSummer visitorCommon15–18 cmRegularly May–Dec · 1.06% in Sep
Downy WoodpeckerDryobates pubescensResidentCommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 1.00% in Sep
Pine SiskinSpinus pinusResidentCommon11–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.96% in Sep
Common YellowthroatGeothlypis trichasSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.91% in Sep
Eurasian TealAnas creccaWinter visitorCommon34–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.84% in Sep
Orange-crowned WarblerLeiothlypis celataSummer visitorCommon11–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.83% in Sep
Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceusResidentCommon17–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.83% in Sep
Lincoln's SparrowMelospiza lincolniiSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Feb · 0.77% in Sep
Ring-billed GullLarus delawarensisResidentCommon43–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.75% in Sep
Ruby-crowned KingletCorthylio calendulaResidentCommon9–11 cmRecorded all year · 0.75% in Sep
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 0.74% in Sep
Bald EagleHaliaeetus leucocephalusResidentCommon70–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.73% in Sep
Common LoonGavia immerResidentCommon66–91 cmRecorded all year · 0.72% in Sep
Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensisResidentCommon45–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.71% in Sep
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.71% in Sep
Northern PintailAnas acutaWinter visitorCommon59–76 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 0.66% in Sep
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentCommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.64% in Sep
Pileated WoodpeckerDryocopus pileatusResidentCommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.63% in Sep
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.57% in Sep
Red-necked GrebePodiceps grisegenaWinter visitorCommon40–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.56% in Sep
Fox SparrowPasserella iliacaWinter visitorCommon15–19 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 0.53% in Sep
Hairy WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus villosusResidentCommon18–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.53% in Sep
Common MerganserMergus merganserResidentCommon58–68 cmRecorded all year · 0.52% in Sep
Northern Yellow WarblerSetophaga aestivaSummer visitorCommon12–13 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.52% in Sep
Pacific WrenTroglodytes pacificusResidentCommon8–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.51% in Sep
Wood DuckAix sponsaResidentCommon47–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.51% in Sep
OspreyPandion haliaetusSummer visitorCommon54–58 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.49% in Sep
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraResidentCommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.49% in Sep
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataResidentCommon44–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.49% in Sep
MerlinFalco columbariusResidentUncommon24–33 cmRecorded all year · 0.47% in Sep
Pied-billed GrebePodilymbus podicepsResidentCommon31–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.45% in Sep
Western SandpiperCalidris mauriPassage migrantCommon14–17 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.44% in Sep
Surf ScoterMelanitta perspicillataWinter visitorCommon48–60 cmRecorded all year · 0.43% in Sep
Greater YellowlegsTringa melanoleucaSummer visitorCommon29–40 cmRecorded all year · 0.40% in Sep
GadwallMareca streperaResidentCommon46–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.37% in Sep
Hooded MerganserLophodytes cucullatusWinter visitorCommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.36% in Sep
Marsh WrenCistothorus palustrisResidentUncommon10–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.33% in Sep
Swainson's ThrushCatharus ustulatusSummer visitorCommon16–20 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.32% in Sep
Horned GrebePodiceps auritusWinter visitorCommon31–38 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.32% in Sep
Sharp-shinned HawkAccipiter striatusWinter visitorUncommon24–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.30% in Sep
Least SandpiperCalidris minutillaPassage migrantCommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.28% in Sep
Varied ThrushIxoreus naeviusWinter visitorCommon20–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.28% in Sep
Bonaparte's GullChroicocephalus philadelphiaSummer visitorUncommon28–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.25% in Sep
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaWinter visitorUncommon27–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.24% in Sep
Long-billed DowitcherLimnodromus scolopaceusWinter visitorUncommon27–30 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.23% in Sep
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusResidentUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.23% in Sep
Hermit ThrushCatharus guttatusSummer visitorUncommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.22% in Sep
Sandhill CraneAntigone canadensisResidentUncommon80–122 cmRecorded all year · 0.22% in Sep
American Herring GullLarus smithsonianusWinter visitorUncommon53–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.21% in Sep
Pectoral SandpiperCalidris melanotosPassage migrantUncommon19–23 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.20% in Sep
Red-breasted SapsuckerSphyrapicus ruberResidentUncommon19–22 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in Sep
Mourning DoveZenaida macrouraResidentUncommon23–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.19% in Sep
Pacific LoonGavia pacificaWinter visitorUncommon58–74 cmRecorded all year · 0.18% in Sep
Lesser YellowlegsTringa flavipesSummer visitorUncommon23–27 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.17% in Sep
Virginia RailRallus limicolaResidentUncommon20–27 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in Sep
Great Horned OwlBubo virginianusResidentUncommon46–63 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in Sep
Evening GrosbeakHesperiphona vespertinaResidentUncommon16–22 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in Sep
Gray CatbirdDumetella carolinensisSummer visitorUncommon20–24 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.15% in Sep
Western MeadowlarkSturnella neglectaSummer visitorUncommon16–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in Sep
Barred OwlStrix variaResidentUncommon43–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in Sep
SanderlingCalidris albaWinter visitorUncommon18–20 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.14% in Sep
Red-necked PhalaropePhalaropus lobatusPassage migrantUncommon18–19 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.13% in Sep
Willow FlycatcherEmpidonax trailliiSummer visitorCommon13–17 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.13% in Sep
Ruffed GrouseBonasa umbellusResidentUncommon41–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Sep
Horned LarkEremophila alpestrisSummer visitorUncommon16–20 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.13% in Sep
Ruddy DuckOxyura jamaicensisResidentUncommon35–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Sep
Cackling GooseBranta hutchinsiiWinter visitorCommon53–76 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.13% in Sep
Short-billed DowitcherLimnodromus griseusPassage migrantUncommon23–32 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.12% in Sep
Greater White-fronted GooseAnser albifronsWinter visitorUncommon64–81 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.12% in Sep
Chipping SparrowSpizella passerinaSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.11% in Sep
Purple MartinProgne subisSummer visitorCommon18–20 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.11% in Sep
Baird's SandpiperCalidris bairdiiPassage migrantUncommon14–17 cmRegularly Jul–Sep · 0.10% in Sep
Semipalmated PloverCharadrius semipalmatusSummer visitorUncommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.10% in Sep
Arctic JaegerStercorarius parasiticusPassage migrantUncommon41–46 cmRegularly May–Nov · 0.09% in Sep
Iceland GullLarus glaucoidesWinter visitorUncommon52–60 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.09% in Sep
Trumpeter SwanCygnus buccinatorWinter visitorCommon139–157 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Sep
Lapland LongspurCalcarius lapponicusPassage migrantUncommon15–16 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.08% in Sep
Vesper SparrowPooecetes gramineusSummer visitorUncommon13–17 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.07% in Sep
Mountain BluebirdSialia currucoidesSummer visitorUncommon15–18 cmRegularly Jan–Nov · 0.07% in Sep
Blue JayCyanocitta cristataResidentUncommon25–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Sep
Sooty ShearwaterArdenna griseaSummer visitorUncommon40–51 cmRegularly May–Nov · 0.07% in Sep
Red-naped SapsuckerSphyrapicus nuchalisSummer visitorUncommon19–21 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.07% in Sep
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusResidentUncommon50–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Sep
Greater ScaupAythya marilaWinter visitorUncommon39–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Sep
Black-necked GrebePodiceps nigricollisResidentUncommon28–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Sep
Northern Pygmy-owlGlaucidium gnomaWinter visitorUncommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Sep
DunlinCalidris alpinaWinter visitorUncommon16–22 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.05% in Sep
Say's PhoebeSayornis sayaSummer visitorUncommon17–20 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.05% in Sep
White-breasted NuthatchSitta carolinensisResidentUncommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Sep
WhimbrelNumenius phaeopusSummer visitorUncommon40–46 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.04% in Sep
Red-throated LoonGavia stellataWinter visitorUncommon53–69 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Sep
Broad-winged HawkButeo platypterusSummer visitorRare34–44 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.04% in Sep
KittiwakeRissa tridactylaPassage migrantRare37–41 cmRegularly Jul–Apr · 0.04% in Sep
Cinnamon TealSpatula cyanopteraSummer visitorUncommon36–43 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.04% in Sep
American RedstartSetophaga ruticillaSummer visitorUncommon11–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.04% in Sep
Sabine's GullXema sabiniPassage migrantRare27–33 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.04% in Sep
Snow GooseAnser caerulescensWinter visitorCommon69–84 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.04% in Sep
American Golden-PloverPluvialis dominicaPassage migrantRare24–28 cmRegularly Aug–Oct · 0.04% in Sep
Mute SwanCygnus olorResidentUncommon140–160 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Sep
Northern Saw-whet OwlAegolius acadicusWinter visitorUncommon17–21 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 0.03% in Sep
Marbled GodwitLimosa fedoaResidentRare40–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Sep
Semipalmated SandpiperCalidris pusillaPassage migrantUncommon15–18 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.03% in Sep
Solitary SandpiperTringa solitariaSummer visitorUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.03% in Sep
Red KnotCalidris canutusSummer visitorRare23–26 cmRegularly May–Feb · 0.03% in Sep
Lewis's WoodpeckerMelanerpes lewisSummer visitorUncommon26–28 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.03% in Sep
American AvocetRecurvirostra americanaSummer visitorRare43–51 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.03% in Sep
Northern WaterthrushParkesia noveboracensisSummer visitorUncommon12–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.03% in Sep
Wild TurkeyMeleagris gallopavoResidentRare100–125 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Sep
Golden EagleAquila chrysaetosResidentUncommon66–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Sep
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.03% in Sep
American Three-toed WoodpeckerPicoides dorsalisResidentRare21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Sep
Clay-colored SparrowSpizella pallidaSummer visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.03% in Sep
Common TernSterna hirundoSummer visitorRare31–35 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.03% in Sep
Franklin's GullLeucophaeus pipixcanSummer visitorRare32–36 cmRegularly May–Nov · 0.02% in Sep
Buff-breasted SandpiperCalidris subruficollisPassage migrantRare18–20 cmRegularly Aug–Sep · 0.02% in Sep
Pomarine JaegerStercorarius pomarinusPassage migrantRare46–51 cmRegularly Jul–Oct · 0.02% in Sep
Stilt SandpiperCalidris himantopusPassage migrantUncommon18–23 cmRegularly Aug–Sep · 0.02% in Sep
Pacific Golden-PloverPluvialis fulvaSummer visitorRare23–26 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.02% in Sep
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresSummer visitorRare21–24 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.02% in Sep
FulmarFulmarus glacialisSummer visitorRare45–50 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.02% in Sep
WilletTringa semipalmataPassage migrantRare33–41 cmRegularly Jun–Apr · 0.01% in Sep
Nashville WarblerLeiothlypis ruficapillaSummer visitorUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.01% in Sep
Swamp SparrowMelospiza georgianaResidentRare12–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Sep
Sharp-tailed SandpiperCalidris acuminataPassage migrantRare17–22 cmRegularly Sep–Nov · 0.01% in Sep
Wilson's PhalaropePhalaropus tricolorSummer visitorUncommon22–24 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in Sep
Tennessee WarblerLeiothlypis peregrinaSummer visitorUncommon10–13 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in Sep
Long-tailed JaegerStercorarius longicaudusPassage migrantRare48–58 cmRegularly Jul–Sep · 0.01% in Sep
Bar-tailed GodwitLimosa lapponicaPassage migrantRare37–41 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.01% in Sep
American Tree SparrowSpizelloides arboreaWinter visitorUncommon14–17 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 0.01% in Sep
ChukarAlectoris chukarResidentRare32–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Sep
Lark SparrowChondestes grammacusSummer visitorRare15–17 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in Sep
American BitternBotaurus lentiginosusResidentRare58–85 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Sep
Arctic TernSterna paradisaeaSummer visitorRare33–39 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in Sep
Magnolia WarblerSetophaga magnoliaSummer visitorUncommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in Sep
Great White EgretArdea albaPassage migrantRare80–104 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 0.01% in Sep
Black-backed WoodpeckerPicoides arcticusResidentRare21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Sep
Indian PeafowlPavo cristatusResidentRare86–230 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Sep
RuffCalidris pugnaxPassage migrantRare20–32 cmRegularly Sep–Oct · 0.01% in Sep
Hudsonian GodwitLimosa haemasticaSummer visitorRare36–42 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.01% in Sep
Grey PhalaropePhalaropus fulicariusPassage migrantRare20–22 cmRegularly May–Jan · 0.01% in Sep
Common GrackleQuiscalus quisculaSummer visitorRare28–34 cmRegularly Apr–Feb · 0.00% in Sep
Leach's Storm-petrelHydrobates leucorhousSummer visitorRare18–21 cmRegularly May–Nov · 0.00% in Sep
Yellow-bellied SapsuckerSphyrapicus variusSummer visitorRare19–22 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.00% in Sep
Western Screech-owlMegascops kennicottiiResidentRare19–25 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Sep
Blackpoll WarblerSetophaga striataSummer visitorRare13–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.00% in Sep
Black-crowned Night-heronNycticorax nycticoraxWinter visitorUncommon58–65 cmRegularly Aug–Mar · 0.00% in Sep
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusPassage migrantRare52–64 cmRegularly Sep–Nov · 0.00% in Sep
Palm WarblerSetophaga palmarumSummer visitorRare12–14 cmRegularly May–Dec · 0.00% in Sep
Chestnut-sided WarblerSetophaga pensylvanicaPassage migrantRare10–14 cmRegularly Jun–Sep · 0.00% in Sep
Grey PartridgePerdix perdixSummer visitorRare28–32 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.00% in Sep
Northern MockingbirdMimus polyglottosSummer visitorRare21–26 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 0.00% in Sep
Upland SandpiperBartramia longicaudaSummer visitorRare28–32 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.00% in Sep
Boreal OwlAegolius funereusSummer visitorRare21–28 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 0.00% in Sep
Rose-breasted GrosbeakPheucticus ludovicianusSummer visitorRare18–22 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.00% in Sep
Mandarin DuckAix galericulataWinter visitorRare41–49 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 0.00% in Sep
Williamson's SapsuckerSphyrapicus thyroideusSummer visitorRare21–25 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.00% in Sep
Long-eared OwlAsio otusSummer visitorRare35–40 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.00% in Sep
Muscovy DuckCairina moschataResidentRare66–84 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Sep
Philadelphia VireoVireo philadelphicusSummer visitorRare11–13 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.00% in Sep
Rock PtarmiganLagopus mutaSummer visitorRare34–36 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.00% in Sep
Forster's TernSterna forsteriSummer visitorRare33–36 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.00% in Sep
American Black DuckAnas rubripesWinter visitorRare54–59 cmRegularly Sep–Feb · 0.00% in Sep
Bay-breasted WarblerSetophaga castaneaPassage migrantRare14–14 cmRegularly Jun–Sep · 0.00% in Sep
Data: EOD – eBird Observation Dataset (Cornell Lab of Ornithology), accessed via GBIF.org, CC BY 4.0. Records from 2019–2024, aggregated and filtered by Birdfact. How these lists are made