Great Blue Heron in July
Where great blue herons are in July, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
July in the Great Blue Heron'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 Great Blue Heron specifically, July is a summer month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 60 states and provinces where great blue herons occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where great blue herons are in July
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In July, great blue herons 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
Great blue herons are not nesting in July. The season runs February–June at mid-latitudes, and up to a month later in the North.
Outside the nesting season, great blue herons 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
- Fish, frogs, crayfish and voles
A regular at backyard ponds; net or decoy-protect ornamental fish if one moves in.
Feeder traffic often dips as natural food peaks, but water becomes the big draw — a clean birdbath outpulls seed in hot weather.
Full Great Blue Heron diet guide → · Best feeder for great blue herons →
Watching great blue herons this month
Great blue herons 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 great blue herons are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Great Blue Heron month by month
Great Blue Heron by state
Frequently asked
Where are great blue herons in July?
In July, great blue herons are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do great blue herons nest in July?
No — great blue herons typically nest February through June at mid-latitudes.
What do great blue herons eat in July?
Fish, frogs, crayfish and voles.
Sources
- Great Blue Heron — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Great Blue Heron life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Great Blue Heron — 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.