Best Time to See Eagles in Alabama

January, February and November is the best time to see eagles in Alabama. Based on 6,254 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when eagles are most active across the year in Alabama.

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By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.

Northern Harrier photographed in Alabama

Northern Harrier · Farren Dell Rossman CC BY

Red-tailed Hawk photographed in Alabama

Red-tailed Hawk · Public domain CC0

Red-tailed Hawk photographed in Alabama

Red-tailed Hawk · John P Friel CC BY

Photos by iNaturalist observers, reused under the licence each observer chose.
Best months: January, February, November

6,254 verified observations of eagles in Alabama, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When eagles are recorded in Alabama

Peak month

January

774 records (12.4% of the year)

Quietest month

July

369 records

MonthObservationsShare
Januarypeak77412.4%
Februarypeak67110.7%
March5248.4%
April5068.1%
May4246.8%
June4066.5%
July3695.9%
August4437.1%
September4557.3%
October5378.6%
Novemberpeak62510%
December5208.3%

Eagles you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Red-shouldered Hawk1,606
Red-tailed Hawk1,536
Bald Eagle1,124
Cooper's Hawk837
Broad-winged Hawk310
Mississippi Kite265
Northern Harrier180
Swallow-tailed Kite174

Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo

Typical weather in Alabama

Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when eagles are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for eagles sit around 40 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.

MonthAvg highAvg lowRain
Janbest time57°F40°F5.4"
Febbest time63°F45°F6.3"
Mar69°F50°F6"
Apr75°F54°F4.9"
May83°F62°F3.8"
Jun88°F70°F5.8"
Jul91°F73°F4.5"
Aug91°F73°F4.4"
Sep87°F68°F3.1"
Oct76°F58°F3.9"
Novbest time65°F47°F3.2"
Dec60°F44°F4.8"

Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Alabama. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.

More on eagles in Alabama:

Sightings of eagles in Alabama peak in January, when 774 of the year's 6,254 verified observations are logged — about 12.4% of the annual total. Activity stays high through January, February and November.

The quietest stretch is July, June and May, when eagles are hardest to find — July sees just 369 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.

The eagles you are most likely to encounter in Alabama are Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk and Bald Eagle — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.

Where to go

Best places to see eagles in Alabama

  • Horseshoe Bend National Military ParkNational Military Park
  • Little River Canyon National PreserveNational Preserve
  • Natchez Trace ParkwayParkway
  • Russell Cave National MonumentNational Monument
  • Birmingham Civil Rights National MonumentNational Monument
  • Freedom Riders National MonumentNational Monument

Gear to see them

Frequently asked questions

What is the best month to see eagles in Alabama?+

January is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through January, February and November, based on 6,254 verified iNaturalist observations.

When are eagles hardest to see in Alabama?+

July is the quietest month for eagles in Alabama, with only 369 verified records.

Are eagles active year-round in Alabama?+

Eagles are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Alabama, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in January.