Tree Swallow in July
Where tree swallows are in July, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
July in the Tree Swallow'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 Tree Swallow 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 tree swallows occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where tree swallows are in July
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In July, tree swallows 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
Tree swallows are not nesting in July. The season runs May–June at mid-latitudes, and up to a month later in the North.
That makes July a useful month for nest-box work: cleaning out old nesting material, checking mounts and predator guards, and making repairs while boxes are empty. A box that's ready early gets claimed early.
What to feed in July
- Flies, mayflies and dragonflies
Tree swallows readily take bluebird-style nest boxes; mount boxes in pairs 15–25 ft apart to share with bluebirds.
Feeder traffic often dips as natural food peaks, but water becomes the big draw — a clean birdbath outpulls seed in hot weather.
Full Tree Swallow diet guide → · Best feeder for tree swallows →
Watching tree swallows this month
Tree swallows 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.
If you have a Tree Swallow box up, this is the month to make sure it's clean, secure and ready — the box guide below has the exact hole size and mounting height this species needs.
Tree Swallow month by month
Tree Swallow by state
Frequently asked
Where are tree swallows in July?
In July, tree swallows are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do tree swallows nest in July?
No — tree swallows typically nest May through June at mid-latitudes.
What do tree swallows eat in July?
Flies, mayflies and dragonflies.
Sources
- Tree Swallow — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Tree Swallow life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Tree Swallow — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- NestWatch nest box plans and species requirements — Cornell Lab
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.