Best Time to See Hawks in Alabama
January, February and November is the best time to see hawks in Alabama. Based on 6,230 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when hawks are most active across the year in Alabama.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Northern Harrier · Farren Dell Rossman CC BY
Red-tailed Hawk · Public domain CC0
Red-tailed Hawk · John P Friel CC BY
6,230 verified observations of hawks in Alabama, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hawks are recorded in Alabama
Peak month
January
774 records (12.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 774 | 12.4% |
| Februarypeak | 671 | 10.8% |
| March | 524 | 8.4% |
| April | 506 | 8.1% |
| May | 424 | 6.8% |
| June | 385 | 6.2% |
| July | 367 | 5.9% |
| August | 443 | 7.1% |
| September | 455 | 7.3% |
| October | 537 | 8.6% |
| Novemberpeak | 625 | 10% |
| December | 519 | 8.3% |
Hawks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 1,603 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 1,528 |
| Bald Eagle | 1,123 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 832 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 310 |
| Mississippi Kite | 261 |
| Northern Harrier | 180 |
| Swallow-tailed Kite | 172 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Alabama
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when hawks are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for hawks sit around 40 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janbest time | 57°F | 40°F | 5.4" |
| Febbest time | 63°F | 45°F | 6.3" |
| Mar | 69°F | 50°F | 6" |
| Apr | 75°F | 54°F | 4.9" |
| May | 83°F | 62°F | 3.8" |
| Jun | 88°F | 70°F | 5.8" |
| Jul | 91°F | 73°F | 4.5" |
| Aug | 91°F | 73°F | 4.4" |
| Sep | 87°F | 68°F | 3.1" |
| Oct | 76°F | 58°F | 3.9" |
| Novbest time | 65°F | 47°F | 3.2" |
| Dec | 60°F | 44°F | 4.8" |
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.
Sightings of hawks in Alabama peak in January, when 774 of the year's 6,230 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 hawks are hardest to find — July sees just 367 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The hawks 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 hawks in Alabama
- Horseshoe Bend National Military Park — National Military Park
- Little River Canyon National Preserve — National Preserve
- Natchez Trace Parkway — Parkway
- Russell Cave National Monument — National Monument
- Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument — National Monument
- Freedom Riders National Monument — National Monument
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see hawks in Alabama?+
January is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through January, February and November, based on 6,230 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are hawks hardest to see in Alabama?+
July is the quietest month for hawks in Alabama, with only 367 verified records.
Are hawks active year-round in Alabama?+
Hawks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Alabama, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in January.
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in Alabama