Cooper's Hawk in July
Where Cooper's hawks are in July, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
July in the Cooper's Hawk's year
July is the quietest month for bird song but one of the busiest for bird life. Many species are on second broods, young birds from first broods are independent, and natural food — insects, ripening fruit and seeds — is abundant. In the far South the first southbound shorebirds are already moving.
For the Cooper's Hawk specifically, July is a summer month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 56 states and provinces where Cooper's hawks occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where Cooper's hawks are in July
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In July, Cooper's hawks 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 July
Cooper's hawks are not nesting in July. The season runs March–June at mid-latitudes, and up to a month later in the North.
Outside the nesting season, Cooper's hawks 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 July
- Doves, jays, starlings and chipmunks
The classic 'feeder hawk'. If one moves in, take feeders down for a week or two and it will move on.
Feeder traffic often dips as natural food peaks, but water becomes the big draw — a clean birdbath outpulls seed in hot weather.
Full Cooper's Hawk diet guide → · Best feeder for Cooper's hawks →
Watching Cooper's hawks this month
Cooper's hawks are settled and predictable in July, 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 Cooper's hawks are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Cooper's Hawk month by month
Cooper's Hawk by state
Frequently asked
Where are Cooper's hawks in July?
In July, Cooper's hawks are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do Cooper's hawks nest in July?
No — Cooper's hawks typically nest March through June at mid-latitudes.
What do Cooper's hawks eat in July?
Doves, jays, starlings and chipmunks.
Sources
- Cooper's Hawk — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Cooper's Hawk life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Cooper's Hawk — 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.