Birds to See in Michigan in September
167 bird species on our list for Michigan are recorded regularly in September
Of these, the most often recorded are Blue Jay, Northern Cardinal, American Crow, Downy Woodpecker and Mourning Dove. New this month: Ruby-crowned Kinglet, White-crowned Sparrow, Pine Siskin and Greater Scaup and 17 more.
On the move in September
GBIF · SepArriving
At their peak
Gray CatbirdBusiest month of the year · Apr–Oct
Nashville WarblerBusiest month of the year · Apr–Oct
Magnolia WarblerBusiest month of the year · May–Jun
Swainson's ThrushBusiest month of the year · May–Jun
Tennessee WarblerBusiest month of the year · May
Black-throated Green WarblerBusiest month of the year · Apr–Oct
From Michigan’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 167 birds in September
167 birds
Blue JayCyanocitta cristataResidentCommon25–30 cmRecorded all year · 4.40% in Sep
Northern CardinalCardinalis cardinalisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 2.73% in Sep
American CrowCorvus brachyrhynchosResidentCommon41–53 cmRecorded all year · 2.65% in Sep
Downy WoodpeckerDryobates pubescensResidentCommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 2.63% in Sep
Mourning DoveZenaida macrouraResidentCommon23–34 cmRecorded all year · 2.60% in Sep
White-breasted NuthatchSitta carolinensisResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 2.58% in Sep
American RobinTurdus migratoriusResidentCommon20–28 cmRecorded all year · 2.39% in Sep
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 2.34% in Sep
Northern FlickerColaptes auratusResidentCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 2.22% in Sep
Red-bellied WoodpeckerMelanerpes carolinusResidentCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 2.09% in Sep
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.85% in Sep- Gray CatbirdDumetella carolinensisSummer visitorCommon20–24 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 1.74% in Sep
Tufted TitmouseBaeolophus bicolorResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 1.70% in Sep
Ring-billed GullLarus delawarensisResidentCommon43–54 cmRecorded all year · 1.56% in Sep
Turkey VultureCathartes auraSummer visitorCommon62–81 cmRegularly Feb–Nov · 1.56% in Sep
Great Blue HeronArdea herodiasResidentCommon91–137 cmRecorded all year · 1.52% in Sep
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.46% in Sep
Song SparrowMelospiza melodiaSummer visitorCommon12–17 cmRecorded all year · 1.37% in Sep
Cedar WaxwingBombycilla cedrorumSummer visitorCommon15–18 cmRecorded all year · 1.25% in Sep
House FinchHaemorhous mexicanusResidentCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.23% in Sep
Hairy WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus villosusResidentCommon18–26 cmRecorded all year · 1.17% in Sep
Ruby-throated HummingbirdArchilochus colubrisSummer visitorCommon7–9 cmRegularly May–Sep · 1.14% in Sep
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 1.13% in Sep
Wood DuckAix sponsaSummer visitorCommon47–54 cmRecorded all year · 1.12% in Sep
Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceusSummer visitorCommon17–23 cmRegularly Feb–Nov · 1.03% in Sep
Common GrackleQuiscalus quisculaSummer visitorCommon28–34 cmRegularly Feb–Nov · 1.01% in Sep
American RedstartSetophaga ruticillaSummer visitorCommon11–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 1.00% in Sep
Yellow-rumped WarblerSetophaga coronataSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.96% in Sep
Sandhill CraneAntigone canadensisResidentCommon80–122 cmRecorded all year · 0.96% in Sep
Common YellowthroatGeothlypis trichasSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.85% in Sep
Great White EgretArdea albaSummer visitorCommon80–104 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.84% in Sep
Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensisResidentCommon45–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.82% in Sep- Nashville WarblerLeiothlypis ruficapillaSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.79% in Sep
- Magnolia WarblerSetophaga magnoliaPassage migrantCommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.78% in Sep
- Swainson's ThrushCatharus ustulatusPassage migrantCommon16–20 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.72% in Sep
Pileated WoodpeckerDryocopus pileatusResidentCommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.69% in Sep
Bald EagleHaliaeetus leucocephalusResidentCommon70–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.69% in Sep
Eastern BluebirdSialia sialisResidentCommon16–21 cmRecorded all year · 0.69% in Sep
American Herring GullLarus smithsonianusResidentCommon53–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.69% in Sep- Tennessee WarblerLeiothlypis peregrinaPassage migrantCommon10–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.68% in Sep
Bay-breasted WarblerSetophaga castaneaPassage migrantCommon14–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.66% in Sep- Black-throated Green WarblerSetophaga virensSummer visitorCommon11–12 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.63% in Sep
Rose-breasted GrosbeakPheucticus ludovicianusSummer visitorCommon18–22 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.63% in Sep
Mute SwanCygnus olorResidentCommon140–160 cmRecorded all year · 0.58% in Sep
Blackpoll WarblerSetophaga striataPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.50% in Sep
Palm WarblerSetophaga palmarumPassage migrantCommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.46% in Sep
Chipping SparrowSpizella passerinaSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.46% in Sep
Common RavenCorvus coraxResidentCommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.40% in Sep
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 0.39% in Sep
Pied-billed GrebePodilymbus podicepsSummer visitorCommon31–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.39% in Sep
Wild TurkeyMeleagris gallopavoResidentCommon100–125 cmRecorded all year · 0.36% in Sep
Chestnut-sided WarblerSetophaga pensylvanicaSummer visitorUncommon10–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.35% in Sep
Swamp SparrowMelospiza georgianaSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.34% in Sep
Ruby-crowned KingletCorthylio calendulaPassage migrantCommon9–11 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.34% in Sep
Cape May WarblerSetophaga tigrinaPassage migrantUncommon12–14 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.31% in Sep
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.30% in Sep
MerlinFalco columbariusResidentUncommon24–33 cmRecorded all year · 0.28% in Sep
Lesser YellowlegsTringa flavipesPassage migrantCommon23–27 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.27% in Sep
Black-throated Blue WarblerSetophaga caerulescensSummer visitorUncommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.26% in Sep
Yellow-bellied SapsuckerSphyrapicus variusSummer visitorUncommon19–22 cmRecorded all year · 0.25% in Sep
Trumpeter SwanCygnus buccinatorResidentCommon139–157 cmRecorded all year · 0.25% in Sep
OspreyPandion haliaetusSummer visitorCommon54–58 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.23% in Sep
Eurasian TealAnas creccaWinter visitorUncommon34–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.23% in Sep
Red-headed WoodpeckerMelanerpes erythrocephalusResidentUncommon19–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.22% in Sep
SanderlingCalidris albaSummer visitorUncommon18–20 cmRegularly May–Nov · 0.22% in Sep
Sharp-shinned HawkAccipiter striatusWinter visitorUncommon24–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.22% in Sep
Philadelphia VireoVireo philadelphicusPassage migrantUncommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.22% in Sep
Solitary SandpiperTringa solitariaPassage migrantCommon19–23 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.22% in Sep
Blue-headed VireoVireo solitariusSummer visitorUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.21% in Sep
Least FlycatcherEmpidonax minimusSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.21% in Sep
Common MerganserMergus merganserWinter visitorCommon58–68 cmRecorded all year · 0.21% in Sep
White-crowned SparrowZonotrichia leucophrysWinter visitorCommon15–16 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.20% in Sep
Scarlet TanagerPiranga olivaceaSummer visitorUncommon16–19 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.20% in Sep
OvenbirdSeiurus aurocapillaSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.19% in Sep
Broad-winged HawkButeo platypterusSummer visitorUncommon34–44 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.19% in Sep
Semipalmated PloverCharadrius semipalmatusSummer visitorUncommon17–19 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.19% in Sep
Greater YellowlegsTringa melanoleucaPassage migrantUncommon29–40 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.19% in Sep
Lincoln's SparrowMelospiza lincolniiSummer visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.19% in Sep
Common LoonGavia immerSummer visitorUncommon66–91 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.17% in Sep
Gray-cheeked ThrushCatharus minimusPassage migrantUncommon16–17 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.16% in Sep
Great Crested FlycatcherMyiarchus crinitusSummer visitorCommon17–22 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.15% in Sep
Least SandpiperCalidris minutillaPassage migrantCommon13–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.15% in Sep
Pectoral SandpiperCalidris melanotosPassage migrantUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.15% in Sep
Horned LarkEremophila alpestrisWinter visitorCommon16–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in Sep
Bonaparte's GullChroicocephalus philadelphiaSummer visitorCommon28–38 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.14% in Sep
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataWinter visitorUncommon44–51 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 0.13% in Sep
Hooded MerganserLophodytes cucullatusWinter visitorCommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Sep
American Golden-PloverPluvialis dominicaPassage migrantUncommon24–28 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.12% in Sep
American Black DuckAnas rubripesWinter visitorCommon54–59 cmRegularly Jul–Apr · 0.11% in Sep
Marsh WrenCistothorus palustrisSummer visitorUncommon10–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.11% in Sep
Hermit ThrushCatharus guttatusSummer visitorCommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in Sep
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusResidentUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in Sep
Semipalmated SandpiperCalidris pusillaSummer visitorUncommon15–18 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.11% in Sep
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaPassage migrantUncommon27–30 cmRegularly May–Nov · 0.10% in Sep
Barred OwlStrix variaResidentUncommon43–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Sep
Northern WaterthrushParkesia noveboracensisSummer visitorUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.09% in Sep
Pine SiskinSpinus pinusWinter visitorCommon11–14 cmRegularly Sep–Jun · 0.09% in Sep
GadwallMareca streperaWinter visitorCommon46–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Sep
Baird's SandpiperCalidris bairdiiPassage migrantUncommon14–17 cmRegularly Jul–Sep · 0.08% in Sep
Common TernSterna hirundoSummer visitorUncommon31–35 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.08% in Sep
Eastern Screech-owlMegascops asioWinter visitorUncommon16–25 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Sep
Black-crowned Night-heronNycticorax nycticoraxSummer visitorUncommon58–65 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.08% in Sep
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serratorWinter visitorCommon52–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Sep
Great Horned OwlBubo virginianusWinter visitorUncommon46–63 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Sep
Northern PintailAnas acutaWinter visitorUncommon59–76 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.07% in Sep
Red-necked GrebePodiceps grisegenaWinter visitorUncommon40–50 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.07% in Sep
Yellow-bellied FlycatcherEmpidonax flaviventrisSummer visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.07% in Sep
Ruffed GrouseBonasa umbellusResidentUncommon41–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Sep
VeeryCatharus fuscescensSummer visitorUncommon16–19 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.07% in Sep
Ruddy DuckOxyura jamaicensisWinter visitorUncommon35–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Sep
Horned GrebePodiceps auritusWinter visitorUncommon31–38 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.05% in Sep
Stilt SandpiperCalidris himantopusPassage migrantUncommon18–23 cmRegularly Jul–Oct · 0.05% in Sep
Orange-crowned WarblerLeiothlypis celataPassage migrantUncommon11–14 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.05% in Sep
Forster's TernSterna forsteriSummer visitorUncommon33–36 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.05% in Sep
Lapland LongspurCalcarius lapponicusWinter visitorUncommon15–16 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.04% in Sep
Red-throated LoonGavia stellataWinter visitorUncommon53–69 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 0.03% in Sep
Buff-breasted SandpiperCalidris subruficollisPassage migrantRare18–20 cmRegularly Aug–Sep · 0.03% in Sep
Vesper SparrowPooecetes gramineusSummer visitorUncommon13–17 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.03% in Sep
Mourning WarblerGeothlypis philadelphiaSummer visitorUncommon10–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.03% in Sep
Greater ScaupAythya marilaWinter visitorUncommon39–56 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.03% in Sep
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusWinter visitorUncommon52–64 cmRegularly Sep–Jun · 0.03% in Sep
Virginia RailRallus limicolaSummer visitorUncommon20–27 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.03% in Sep
BobolinkDolichonyx oryzivorusSummer visitorUncommon16–20 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.03% in Sep
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresSummer visitorRare21–24 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.02% in Sep
Purple MartinProgne subisSummer visitorUncommon18–20 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.02% in Sep
Red-necked PhalaropePhalaropus lobatusPassage migrantRare18–19 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.02% in Sep
American BitternBotaurus lentiginosusSummer visitorUncommon58–85 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.02% in Sep
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinusWinter visitorUncommon64–79 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.02% in Sep
Clay-colored SparrowSpizella pallidaSummer visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.02% in Sep
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.02% in Sep
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraWinter visitorUncommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Sep
Black-billed CuckooCoccyzus erythropthalmusSummer visitorUncommon28–32 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in Sep
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusResidentUncommon50–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Sep
Red KnotCalidris canutusPassage migrantRare23–26 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in Sep
Short-billed DowitcherLimnodromus griseusPassage migrantUncommon23–32 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in Sep
Arctic JaegerStercorarius parasiticusPassage migrantRare41–46 cmRegularly Aug–Oct · 0.01% in Sep
Black-necked GrebePodiceps nigricollisPassage migrantRare28–34 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.01% in Sep
Snow GooseAnser caerulescensWinter visitorUncommon69–84 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.01% in Sep
Sabine's GullXema sabiniPassage migrantRare27–33 cmRegularly Sep–Nov · 0.01% in Sep
White-rumped SandpiperCalidris fuscicollisPassage migrantRare15–18 cmRegularly May–Nov · 0.01% in Sep
Surf ScoterMelanitta perspicillataWinter visitorUncommon48–60 cmRegularly Sep–Mar · 0.01% in Sep
Evening GrosbeakHesperiphona vespertinaWinter visitorUncommon16–22 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Sep
Northern MockingbirdMimus polyglottosResidentRare21–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Sep
DunlinCalidris alpinaPassage migrantUncommon16–22 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.01% in Sep
Hudsonian GodwitLimosa haemasticaPassage migrantRare36–42 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.01% in Sep
Long-billed DowitcherLimnodromus scolopaceusPassage migrantRare27–30 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in Sep
Wilson's PhalaropePhalaropus tricolorSummer visitorRare22–24 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.01% in Sep
Little GullHydrocoloeus minutusSummer visitorRare25–30 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.01% in Sep
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentRare30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Sep
Cackling GooseBranta hutchinsiiWinter visitorUncommon53–76 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.00% in Sep
WilletTringa semipalmataSummer visitorRare33–41 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.00% in Sep
WhimbrelNumenius phaeopusSummer visitorRare40–46 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.00% in Sep
Northern Saw-whet OwlAegolius acadicusWinter visitorRare17–21 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.00% in Sep
Grey PhalaropePhalaropus fulicariusPassage migrantRare20–22 cmRegularly Sep–Nov · 0.00% in Sep
Fish CrowCorvus ossifragusSummer visitorRare36–41 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.00% in Sep
Greylag GooseAnser anserWinter visitorRare75–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Sep
Black-backed WoodpeckerPicoides arcticusResidentRare21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Sep
American AvocetRecurvirostra americanaSummer visitorRare43–51 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.00% in Sep
Long-tailed JaegerStercorarius longicaudusPassage migrantRare48–58 cmRegularly Sep–Oct · 0.00% in Sep
Marbled GodwitLimosa fedoaSummer visitorRare40–50 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.00% in Sep
Franklin's GullLeucophaeus pipixcanSummer visitorRare32–36 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.00% in Sep
Western KingbirdTyrannus verticalisPassage migrantRare20–24 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.00% in Sep
Cattle EgretArdea ibisSummer visitorRare46–56 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.00% in Sep
Lark SparrowChondestes grammacusSummer visitorRare15–17 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.00% in Sep
Arctic TernSterna paradisaeaPassage migrantRare33–39 cmRegularly Sep · 0.00% in Sep
Pacific LoonGavia pacificaResidentRare58–74 cmRegularly May–Nov · 0.00% in Sep
Muscovy DuckCairina moschataWinter visitorRare66–84 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 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