Birds to See in Virginia in September
153 bird species on our list for Virginia are recorded regularly in September
Of these, the most often recorded are Northern Cardinal, Blue Jay, American Crow, Mourning Dove and Red-bellied Woodpecker. New this month: Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Palm Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler and Swainson's Thrush and 17 more.
On the move in September
GBIF · SepArriving
At their peak
Gray CatbirdBusiest month of the year · All year
American RedstartBusiest month of the year · Apr–Oct
Magnolia WarblerBusiest month of the year · May
Cape May WarblerBusiest month of the year · Apr–May
Rose-breasted GrosbeakBusiest month of the year · Apr–Oct
Black-throated Green WarblerBusiest month of the year · Apr–Oct
From Virginia’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 153 birds in September
153 birds
Northern CardinalCardinalis cardinalisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 3.85% in Sep
Blue JayCyanocitta cristataResidentCommon25–30 cmRecorded all year · 3.53% in Sep
American CrowCorvus brachyrhynchosResidentCommon41–53 cmRecorded all year · 3.36% in Sep
Mourning DoveZenaida macrouraResidentCommon23–34 cmRecorded all year · 2.74% in Sep
Red-bellied WoodpeckerMelanerpes carolinusResidentCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 2.66% in Sep
Tufted TitmouseBaeolophus bicolorResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 2.65% in Sep
Downy WoodpeckerDryobates pubescensResidentCommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 2.43% in Sep
White-breasted NuthatchSitta carolinensisResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 2.16% in Sep
Turkey VultureCathartes auraResidentCommon62–81 cmRecorded all year · 1.99% in Sep- Gray CatbirdDumetella carolinensisSummer visitorCommon20–24 cmRecorded all year · 1.90% in Sep
Eastern BluebirdSialia sialisResidentCommon16–21 cmRecorded all year · 1.79% in Sep
American RobinTurdus migratoriusResidentCommon20–28 cmRecorded all year · 1.65% in Sep
Ruby-throated HummingbirdArchilochus colubrisSummer visitorCommon7–9 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 1.63% in Sep
Northern MockingbirdMimus polyglottosResidentCommon21–26 cmRecorded all year · 1.56% in Sep
Northern FlickerColaptes auratusResidentCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 1.47% in Sep
House FinchHaemorhous mexicanusResidentCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.46% in Sep
Great Blue HeronArdea herodiasResidentCommon91–137 cmRecorded all year · 1.44% in Sep
Pileated WoodpeckerDryocopus pileatusResidentCommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 1.43% in Sep
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.40% in Sep
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 1.17% in Sep- American RedstartSetophaga ruticillaSummer visitorCommon11–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 1.03% in Sep
Great White EgretArdea albaSummer visitorCommon80–104 cmRecorded all year · 1.00% in Sep
OspreyPandion haliaetusSummer visitorCommon54–58 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.89% in Sep
Common YellowthroatGeothlypis trichasSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.89% in Sep
Bald EagleHaliaeetus leucocephalusResidentCommon70–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.87% in Sep
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.79% in Sep
Chipping SparrowSpizella passerinaSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.76% in Sep
Fish CrowCorvus ossifragusResidentCommon36–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.74% in Sep
Song SparrowMelospiza melodiaResidentCommon12–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.72% in Sep
Cedar WaxwingBombycilla cedrorumResidentCommon15–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.67% in Sep
Hairy WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus villosusResidentCommon18–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.66% in Sep- Magnolia WarblerSetophaga magnoliaPassage migrantCommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.65% in Sep
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.64% in Sep
Common GrackleQuiscalus quisculaSummer visitorCommon28–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.54% in Sep
Common RavenCorvus coraxResidentCommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.53% in Sep- Cape May WarblerSetophaga tigrinaPassage migrantCommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.51% in Sep
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 0.50% in Sep
Scarlet TanagerPiranga olivaceaSummer visitorCommon16–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.48% in Sep
Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensisResidentCommon45–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.47% in Sep
American Herring GullLarus smithsonianusResidentCommon53–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.40% in Sep
Ring-billed GullLarus delawarensisWinter visitorCommon43–54 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.40% in Sep
Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceusResidentCommon17–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.40% in Sep
Red-headed WoodpeckerMelanerpes erythrocephalusResidentUncommon19–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.38% in Sep- Rose-breasted GrosbeakPheucticus ludovicianusSummer visitorUncommon18–22 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.37% in Sep
- Black-throated Green WarblerSetophaga virensSummer visitorUncommon11–12 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.35% in Sep
Chestnut-sided WarblerSetophaga pensylvanicaSummer visitorUncommon10–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.35% in Sep
Wood DuckAix sponsaResidentCommon47–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.34% in Sep
Great Crested FlycatcherMyiarchus crinitusSummer visitorCommon17–22 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.31% in Sep
Swainson's ThrushCatharus ustulatusPassage migrantUncommon16–20 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.30% in Sep
Forster's TernSterna forsteriResidentUncommon33–36 cmRecorded all year · 0.28% in Sep
Tennessee WarblerLeiothlypis peregrinaPassage migrantUncommon10–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.27% in Sep
Broad-winged HawkButeo platypterusSummer visitorUncommon34–44 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.27% in Sep
Black-throated Blue WarblerSetophaga caerulescensSummer visitorUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.25% in Sep
Palm WarblerSetophaga palmarumPassage migrantCommon12–14 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.24% in Sep
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinusResidentUncommon64–79 cmRecorded all year · 0.23% in Sep
Bay-breasted WarblerSetophaga castaneaPassage migrantUncommon14–14 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.21% in Sep
Greater YellowlegsTringa melanoleucaResidentUncommon29–40 cmRecorded all year · 0.21% in Sep
Least SandpiperCalidris minutillaPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.21% in Sep
Baltimore OrioleIcterus galbulaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in Sep
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.19% in Sep
Semipalmated PloverCharadrius semipalmatusSummer visitorUncommon17–19 cmRegularly May–Nov · 0.19% in Sep
OvenbirdSeiurus aurocapillaSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.19% in Sep
Sharp-shinned HawkAccipiter striatusWinter visitorUncommon24–34 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.18% in Sep
Lesser YellowlegsTringa flavipesPassage migrantUncommon23–27 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.17% in Sep
SanderlingCalidris albaResidentUncommon18–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.17% in Sep
WilletTringa semipalmataResidentUncommon33–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.17% in Sep
MerlinFalco columbariusWinter visitorUncommon24–33 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.16% in Sep
Semipalmated SandpiperCalidris pusillaSummer visitorUncommon15–18 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.16% in Sep
Barred OwlStrix variaResidentUncommon43–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in Sep
Solitary SandpiperTringa solitariaPassage migrantUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.15% in Sep
Northern Yellow WarblerSetophaga aestivaSummer visitorUncommon12–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.15% in Sep
Blue-headed VireoVireo solitariusSummer visitorUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.15% in Sep
Wild TurkeyMeleagris gallopavoResidentUncommon100–125 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in Sep
VeeryCatharus fuscescensSummer visitorUncommon16–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.14% in Sep
Ruby-crowned KingletCorthylio calendulaWinter visitorCommon9–11 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.14% in Sep
Blackpoll WarblerSetophaga striataPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.12% in Sep
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaResidentUncommon27–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Sep
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusWinter visitorUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in Sep
Eastern Screech-owlMegascops asioResidentUncommon16–25 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in Sep
BobolinkDolichonyx oryzivorusSummer visitorUncommon16–20 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.11% in Sep
Pectoral SandpiperCalidris melanotosPassage migrantUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.11% in Sep
Pied-billed GrebePodilymbus podicepsWinter visitorCommon31–38 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.10% in Sep
Northern WaterthrushParkesia noveboracensisPassage migrantUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.10% in Sep
Nashville WarblerLeiothlypis ruficapillaPassage migrantUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.09% in Sep
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusWinter visitorUncommon52–64 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Sep
Least FlycatcherEmpidonax minimusSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.08% in Sep
Common TernSterna hirundoSummer visitorUncommon31–35 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.08% in Sep
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresResidentUncommon21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Sep
Great Horned OwlBubo virginianusResidentUncommon46–63 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Sep
Philadelphia VireoVireo philadelphicusPassage migrantUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Sep–Oct · 0.06% in Sep
Short-billed DowitcherLimnodromus griseusSummer visitorUncommon23–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Sep
Eurasian TealAnas creccaWinter visitorUncommon34–38 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.06% in Sep
American Black DuckAnas rubripesWinter visitorUncommon54–59 cmRegularly Jul–Apr · 0.05% in Sep
Sandwich TernThalasseus sandvicensisSummer visitorUncommon36–41 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.05% in Sep
Purple MartinProgne subisSummer visitorCommon18–20 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.05% in Sep
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataWinter visitorUncommon44–51 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.05% in Sep
Marbled GodwitLimosa fedoaWinter visitorRare40–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Sep
Gray-cheeked ThrushCatharus minimusPassage migrantUncommon16–17 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.04% in Sep
American Golden-PloverPluvialis dominicaPassage migrantRare24–28 cmRegularly Aug–Nov · 0.04% in Sep
Horned LarkEremophila alpestrisWinter visitorUncommon16–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Sep
Black-crowned Night-heronNycticorax nycticoraxResidentUncommon58–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Sep
Glossy IbisPlegadis falcinellusSummer visitorUncommon48–66 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.03% in Sep
Common MerganserMergus merganserWinter visitorUncommon58–68 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Sep
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentRare30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Sep
Cattle EgretArdea ibisSummer visitorRare46–56 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.03% in Sep
Prothonotary WarblerProtonotaria citreaSummer visitorUncommon13–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.03% in Sep
Stilt SandpiperCalidris himantopusPassage migrantRare18–23 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.03% in Sep
Marsh WrenCistothorus palustrisWinter visitorUncommon10–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Sep
Piping PloverCharadrius melodusSummer visitorRare17–18 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.03% in Sep
WhimbrelNumenius phaeopusSummer visitorRare40–46 cmRegularly Apr–Feb · 0.02% in Sep
Western SandpiperCalidris mauriWinter visitorRare14–17 cmRegularly Jul–Apr · 0.02% in Sep
Lincoln's SparrowMelospiza lincolniiPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly May–Jan · 0.02% in Sep
Red-necked PhalaropePhalaropus lobatusPassage migrantRare18–19 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.02% in Sep
Buff-breasted SandpiperCalidris subruficollisPassage migrantRare18–20 cmRegularly Aug–Oct · 0.02% in Sep
Mute SwanCygnus olorResidentUncommon140–160 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Sep
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.02% in Sep
Muscovy DuckCairina moschataResidentRare66–84 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Sep
White-rumped SandpiperCalidris fuscicollisSummer visitorRare15–18 cmRegularly May–Nov · 0.02% in Sep
Great ShearwaterArdenna gravisPassage migrantRare43–51 cmRegularly Jun–Oct · 0.01% in Sep
Red KnotCalidris canutusSummer visitorRare23–26 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 0.01% in Sep
American AvocetRecurvirostra americanaSummer visitorRare43–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Sep
Black TernChlidonias nigerPassage migrantRare22–26 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in Sep
Yellow-bellied FlycatcherEmpidonax flaviventrisPassage migrantRare13–15 cmRegularly Aug–Oct · 0.01% in Sep
Baird's SandpiperCalidris bairdiiPassage migrantRare14–17 cmRegularly Aug–Sep · 0.01% in Sep
Willow FlycatcherEmpidonax trailliiSummer visitorUncommon13–17 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in Sep
Mourning WarblerGeothlypis philadelphiaSummer visitorRare10–15 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.01% in Sep
DickcisselSpiza americanaSummer visitorRare14–16 cmRegularly May–Feb · 0.01% in Sep
Black-billed CuckooCoccyzus erythropthalmusSummer visitorRare28–32 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in Sep
Virginia RailRallus limicolaResidentRare20–27 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Sep
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraSummer visitorRare15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Sep
Wilson's PhalaropePhalaropus tricolorPassage migrantRare22–24 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.01% in Sep
Ruffed GrouseBonasa umbellusSummer visitorRare41–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Sep
Lark SparrowChondestes grammacusPassage migrantRare15–17 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.01% in Sep
Clay-colored SparrowSpizella pallidaWinter visitorRare13–15 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.00% in Sep
Red JunglefowlGallus gallusResidentRare42–75 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Sep
Trumpeter SwanCygnus buccinatorWinter visitorRare139–157 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Sep
Gull-billed TernGelochelidon niloticaSummer visitorRare33–42 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.00% in Sep
Long-billed DowitcherLimnodromus scolopaceusWinter visitorRare27–30 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.00% in Sep
American BitternBotaurus lentiginosusWinter visitorRare58–85 cmRegularly Sep–Jun · 0.00% in Sep
Upland SandpiperBartramia longicaudaPassage migrantRare28–32 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.00% in Sep
Golden EagleAquila chrysaetosWinter visitorRare66–102 cmRegularly Sep–Mar · 0.00% in Sep
Helmeted GuineafowlNumida meleagrisResidentRare53–63 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Sep
Black-necked GrebePodiceps nigricollisPassage migrantRare28–34 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.00% in Sep
Western KingbirdTyrannus verticalisPassage migrantRare20–24 cmRegularly Sep–Jan · 0.00% in Sep
Alder FlycatcherEmpidonax alnorumSummer visitorRare13–17 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.00% in Sep
Swan GooseAnser cygnoidesPassage migrantRare81–94 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.00% in Sep
Vesper SparrowPooecetes gramineusSummer visitorRare13–17 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 0.00% in Sep
Red-cockaded WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus borealisResidentRare20–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Sep
Sabine's GullXema sabiniPassage migrantRare27–33 cmRegularly Sep · 0.00% in Sep
Indian PeafowlPavo cristatusSummer visitorRare86–230 cmRegularly Jan–Nov · 0.00% in Sep
Black SwanCygnus atratusPassage migrantRare110–142 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.00% in Sep
Arctic JaegerStercorarius parasiticusPassage migrantRare41–46 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.00% in Sep
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusResidentRare50–90 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 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