Great Horned Owl in July
Where great horned owls are in July, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
July in the Great Horned Owl'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 Horned Owl specifically, July is a summer month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 61 states and provinces where great horned owls occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where great horned owls are in July
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In July, great horned owls 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 horned owls are not nesting in July. The season runs January–April at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, great horned owls 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
- Rabbits, rats, snakes and frogs
Nests in midwinter; listen for duetting pairs in December and January, even in suburbs.
Feeder traffic often dips as natural food peaks, but water becomes the big draw — a clean birdbath outpulls seed in hot weather.
Full Great Horned Owl diet guide → · Best feeder for great horned owls →
Watching great horned owls this month
Great horned owls 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 horned owls are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Great Horned Owl month by month
Great Horned Owl by state
Frequently asked
Where are great horned owls in July?
In July, great horned owls are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do great horned owls nest in July?
No — great horned owls typically nest January through April at mid-latitudes.
What do great horned owls eat in July?
Rabbits, rats, snakes and frogs.
Sources
- Great Horned Owl — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Great Horned Owl life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Great Horned Owl — 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.