Birds to See in Alabama in September
136 bird species on our list for Alabama are recorded regularly in September
Of these, the most often recorded are Northern Cardinal, Blue Jay, Mourning Dove, Tufted Titmouse and Red-bellied Woodpecker. New this month: Tennessee Warbler, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Palm Warbler and Magnolia Warbler and 21 more.
On the move in September
GBIF · SepArriving
At their peak
American RedstartBusiest month of the year · Apr–Jun
Chestnut-sided WarblerBusiest month of the year · Apr–May
Baltimore OrioleBusiest month of the year · All year
Least FlycatcherBusiest month of the year · Apr–May
Yellow-bellied FlycatcherBusiest month of the year · Aug–Oct
Red-necked PhalaropeBusiest month of the year · Sep
From Alabama’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 136 birds in September
136 birds
Northern CardinalCardinalis cardinalisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 4.19% in Sep
Blue JayCyanocitta cristataResidentCommon25–30 cmRecorded all year · 3.78% in Sep
Mourning DoveZenaida macrouraResidentCommon23–34 cmRecorded all year · 3.16% in Sep
Tufted TitmouseBaeolophus bicolorResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 2.91% in Sep
Red-bellied WoodpeckerMelanerpes carolinusResidentCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 2.84% in Sep
Northern MockingbirdMimus polyglottosResidentCommon21–26 cmRecorded all year · 2.75% in Sep
Ruby-throated HummingbirdArchilochus colubrisSummer visitorCommon7–9 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 2.67% in Sep
American CrowCorvus brachyrhynchosResidentCommon41–53 cmRecorded all year · 2.49% in Sep
Downy WoodpeckerDryobates pubescensResidentCommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 2.45% in Sep
House FinchHaemorhous mexicanusResidentCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.89% in Sep
Eastern BluebirdSialia sialisResidentCommon16–21 cmRecorded all year · 1.77% in Sep
Great Blue HeronArdea herodiasResidentCommon91–137 cmRecorded all year · 1.50% in Sep
White-breasted NuthatchSitta carolinensisResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 1.30% in Sep
Great White EgretArdea albaResidentCommon80–104 cmRecorded all year · 1.15% in Sep
Turkey VultureCathartes auraResidentCommon62–81 cmRecorded all year · 1.12% in Sep
Pileated WoodpeckerDryocopus pileatusResidentCommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 1.04% in Sep- American RedstartSetophaga ruticillaPassage migrantCommon11–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.95% in Sep
American RobinTurdus migratoriusResidentCommon20–28 cmRecorded all year · 0.90% in Sep
Gray CatbirdDumetella carolinensisSummer visitorCommon20–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.80% in Sep
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 0.72% in Sep
Magnolia WarblerSetophaga magnoliaPassage migrantCommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.70% in Sep
OspreyPandion haliaetusResidentCommon54–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.67% in Sep
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.64% in Sep
Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceusResidentCommon17–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.62% in Sep
Tennessee WarblerLeiothlypis peregrinaPassage migrantCommon10–13 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.62% in Sep
Common YellowthroatGeothlypis trichasSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.60% in Sep
Red-headed WoodpeckerMelanerpes erythrocephalusResidentCommon19–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.59% in Sep- Chestnut-sided WarblerSetophaga pensylvanicaPassage migrantUncommon10–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.50% in Sep
Chipping SparrowSpizella passerinaResidentCommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.48% in Sep
Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensisResidentCommon45–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.46% in Sep
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.45% in Sep
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.44% in Sep
Northern FlickerColaptes auratusWinter visitorCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 0.44% in Sep
Swainson's ThrushCatharus ustulatusPassage migrantUncommon16–20 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.41% in Sep
Fish CrowCorvus ossifragusResidentCommon36–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.39% in Sep
Great Crested FlycatcherMyiarchus crinitusSummer visitorCommon17–22 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.38% in Sep
Scarlet TanagerPiranga olivaceaSummer visitorCommon16–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.36% in Sep
WilletTringa semipalmataResidentUncommon33–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.36% in Sep
Forster's TernSterna forsteriResidentUncommon33–36 cmRecorded all year · 0.34% in Sep
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentUncommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 0.32% in Sep
Hairy WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus villosusResidentUncommon18–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.31% in Sep
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.30% in Sep
SanderlingCalidris albaResidentUncommon18–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.30% in Sep
Common GrackleQuiscalus quisculaResidentCommon28–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.30% in Sep
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentUncommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.30% in Sep
Wood DuckAix sponsaResidentUncommon47–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.29% in Sep
Rose-breasted GrosbeakPheucticus ludovicianusPassage migrantCommon18–22 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.29% in Sep- Baltimore OrioleIcterus galbulaWinter visitorUncommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.28% in Sep
Bald EagleHaliaeetus leucocephalusWinter visitorCommon70–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.28% in Sep
Cattle EgretArdea ibisSummer visitorCommon46–56 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.27% in Sep
Sandwich TernThalasseus sandvicensisSummer visitorUncommon36–41 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.27% in Sep
Least SandpiperCalidris minutillaWinter visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.25% in Sep
Black-throated Green WarblerSetophaga virensPassage migrantUncommon11–12 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.24% in Sep
Barred OwlStrix variaResidentUncommon43–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.23% in Sep
VeeryCatharus fuscescensPassage migrantUncommon16–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.23% in Sep
Northern Yellow WarblerSetophaga aestivaSummer visitorUncommon12–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.22% in Sep- Least FlycatcherEmpidonax minimusPassage migrantUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.18% in Sep
Broad-winged HawkButeo platypterusSummer visitorUncommon34–44 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.17% in Sep
Northern WaterthrushParkesia noveboracensisPassage migrantUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.17% in Sep
Gray-cheeked ThrushCatharus minimusPassage migrantUncommon16–17 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.16% in Sep
Semipalmated PloverCharadrius semipalmatusSummer visitorUncommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in Sep
Pied-billed GrebePodilymbus podicepsWinter visitorCommon31–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in Sep
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaResidentUncommon27–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in Sep
Scaly-breasted MuniaLonchura punctulataResidentUncommon11–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in Sep
Pectoral SandpiperCalidris melanotosPassage migrantUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.15% in Sep
Great Horned OwlBubo virginianusResidentUncommon46–63 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in Sep
White-winged DoveZenaida asiaticaResidentUncommon27–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in Sep
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresSummer visitorUncommon21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in Sep
OvenbirdSeiurus aurocapillaPassage migrantUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.14% in Sep
Palm WarblerSetophaga palmarumWinter visitorCommon12–14 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.13% in Sep
Philadelphia VireoVireo philadelphicusPassage migrantUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.13% in Sep
Semipalmated SandpiperCalidris pusillaSummer visitorUncommon15–18 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.11% in Sep
Wild TurkeyMeleagris gallopavoResidentUncommon100–125 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in Sep
Lesser YellowlegsTringa flavipesWinter visitorUncommon23–27 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.10% in Sep
Western SandpiperCalidris mauriWinter visitorUncommon14–17 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.10% in Sep
Muscovy DuckCairina moschataResidentUncommon66–84 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Sep
Bay-breasted WarblerSetophaga castaneaPassage migrantUncommon14–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.09% in Sep
Prothonotary WarblerProtonotaria citreaSummer visitorCommon13–14 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.09% in Sep
Song SparrowMelospiza melodiaWinter visitorCommon12–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Sep
Black TernChlidonias nigerSummer visitorUncommon22–26 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.09% in Sep
Common TernSterna hirundoSummer visitorUncommon31–35 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.09% in Sep
Ring-billed GullLarus delawarensisWinter visitorCommon43–54 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.08% in Sep
American Herring GullLarus smithsonianusWinter visitorUncommon53–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Sep
Greater YellowlegsTringa melanoleucaWinter visitorUncommon29–40 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.08% in Sep
Eastern Screech-owlMegascops asioResidentUncommon16–25 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Sep
MerlinFalco columbariusWinter visitorUncommon24–33 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.07% in Sep
Purple MartinProgne subisSummer visitorCommon18–20 cmRegularly Feb–Sep · 0.07% in Sep
Solitary SandpiperTringa solitariaPassage migrantUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.07% in Sep
Short-billed DowitcherLimnodromus griseusSummer visitorUncommon23–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Sep
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaPassage migrantUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.06% in Sep
Black-crowned Night-heronNycticorax nycticoraxResidentUncommon58–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Sep
Buff-breasted SandpiperCalidris subruficollisPassage migrantRare18–20 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.05% in Sep
Piping PloverCharadrius melodusWinter visitorUncommon17–18 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.05% in Sep
Nashville WarblerLeiothlypis ruficapillaPassage migrantUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.05% in Sep
Stilt SandpiperCalidris himantopusPassage migrantUncommon18–23 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.04% in Sep
Sharp-shinned HawkAccipiter striatusWinter visitorUncommon24–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Sep
Blue-headed VireoVireo solitariusWinter visitorUncommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Sep
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusWinter visitorUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Sep
Marsh WrenCistothorus palustrisWinter visitorUncommon10–14 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.03% in Sep- Yellow-bellied FlycatcherEmpidonax flaviventrisPassage migrantRare13–15 cmRegularly Aug–Oct · 0.03% in Sep
American Golden-PloverPluvialis dominicaPassage migrantRare24–28 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.03% in Sep
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinusWinter visitorRare64–79 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.03% in Sep
American AvocetRecurvirostra americanaWinter visitorUncommon43–51 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.02% in Sep
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataWinter visitorUncommon44–51 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.02% in Sep
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusWinter visitorRare52–64 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.02% in Sep
Gull-billed TernGelochelidon niloticaSummer visitorUncommon33–42 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.02% in Sep
Marbled GodwitLimosa fedoaPassage migrantRare40–50 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 0.02% in Sep
Red KnotCalidris canutusResidentRare23–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Sep
DickcisselSpiza americanaSummer visitorUncommon14–16 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.02% in Sep
Baird's SandpiperCalidris bairdiiPassage migrantRare14–17 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in Sep
Greylag GooseAnser anserPassage migrantRare75–90 cmRegularly Jun–Mar · 0.01% in Sep
Horned LarkEremophila alpestrisResidentUncommon16–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Sep
Western KingbirdTyrannus verticalisPassage migrantRare20–24 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.01% in Sep
BobolinkDolichonyx oryzivorusPassage migrantUncommon16–20 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.01% in Sep
Glossy IbisPlegadis falcinellusSummer visitorRare48–66 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.01% in Sep
Lark SparrowChondestes grammacusSummer visitorUncommon15–17 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in Sep
Black-billed CuckooCoccyzus erythropthalmusPassage migrantRare28–32 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in Sep
Willow FlycatcherEmpidonax trailliiPassage migrantRare13–17 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.01% in Sep- Red-necked PhalaropePhalaropus lobatusPassage migrantRare18–19 cmRegularly Sep · 0.01% in Sep
Long-billed DowitcherLimnodromus scolopaceusWinter visitorRare27–30 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.01% in Sep
Scissor-tailed FlycatcherTyrannus forficatusSummer visitorUncommon28–38 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.01% in Sep
Cape May WarblerSetophaga tigrinaPassage migrantUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in Sep
Wilson's PhalaropePhalaropus tricolorPassage migrantRare22–24 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in Sep
Helmeted GuineafowlNumida meleagrisResidentRare53–63 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 0.01% in Sep
Black-throated Blue WarblerSetophaga caerulescensPassage migrantRare11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.01% in Sep
Virginia RailRallus limicolaWinter visitorRare20–27 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.01% in Sep
Mourning WarblerGeothlypis philadelphiaPassage migrantRare10–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in Sep
Northern GannetMorus bassanusWinter visitorRare87–100 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Sep
Red-cockaded WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus borealisResidentRare20–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Sep
American BitternBotaurus lentiginosusWinter visitorRare58–85 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.00% in Sep
Mute SwanCygnus olorResidentRare140–160 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Sep
Alder FlycatcherEmpidonax alnorumPassage migrantRare13–17 cmRegularly Sep · 0.00% in Sep
Upland SandpiperBartramia longicaudaPassage migrantRare28–32 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.00% in Sep
American Black DuckAnas rubripesWinter visitorRare54–59 cmRegularly Aug–Mar · 0.00% in Sep
Clay-colored SparrowSpizella pallidaPassage migrantRare13–15 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.00% in Sep
Pomarine JaegerStercorarius pomarinusPassage migrantRare46–51 cmRegularly 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