Rufous Hummingbird in July
Where rufous hummingbirds are in July, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
July in the Rufous Hummingbird'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 Rufous Hummingbird specifically, July is a summer month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 13 states and provinces where rufous hummingbirds occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where rufous hummingbirds are in July
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- summer breeder
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In July, rufous hummingbirds are absent in the South, summer breeder 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
Rufous hummingbirds are not nesting in July. The season runs May–June at mid-latitudes, and up to a month later in the North.
Outside the nesting season, rufous hummingbirds 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
- Nectar and gnats
The most aggressive hummingbird — one male may guard all feeders; hang several out of sight of each other.
Feeder traffic often dips as natural food peaks, but water becomes the big draw — a clean birdbath outpulls seed in hot weather.
Full Rufous Hummingbird diet guide → · Best feeder for rufous hummingbirds →
Watching rufous hummingbirds this month
Rufous hummingbirds 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 rufous hummingbirds are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Rufous Hummingbird month by month
Rufous Hummingbird by state
Frequently asked
Where are rufous hummingbirds in July?
In July, rufous hummingbirds are absent in the South, summer breeder across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do rufous hummingbirds nest in July?
No — rufous hummingbirds typically nest May through June at mid-latitudes.
What do rufous hummingbirds eat in July?
Nectar and gnats.
Sources
- Rufous Hummingbird — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Rufous Hummingbird life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Rufous Hummingbird — 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.