Best Time to See Eagles in Arizona

January, March and April is the best time to see eagles in Arizona. Based on 23,532 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when eagles are most active across the year in Arizona.

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By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.

Red-tailed Hawk photographed in ArizonaNorthern Harrier photographed in ArizonaGolden Eagle photographed in Arizona
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.
Best months: January, March, April

23,532 verified observations of eagles in Arizona, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When eagles are recorded in Arizona

Peak month

January

2,746 records (11.7% of the year)

Quietest month

June

1,339 records

MonthObservationsShare
Januarypeak2,74611.7%
February2,1309.1%
Marchpeak2,58511%
Aprilpeak2,55910.9%
May2,0068.5%
June1,3395.7%
July1,5486.6%
August1,7187.3%
September1,4136%
October1,3915.9%
November1,7417.4%
December2,35610%

Eagles you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Red-tailed Hawk7,386
Cooper's Hawk5,596
Harris's Hawk2,689
Gray Hawk1,119
Zone-tailed Hawk1,104
Bald Eagle1,080
Swainson's Hawk920
Northern Harrier889

Sightings of eagles in Arizona peak in January, when 2,746 of the year's 23,532 verified observations are logged β€” about 11.7% of the annual total. Activity stays high through January, March and April.

The quietest stretch is June, October and September, when eagles are hardest to find β€” June sees just 1,339 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 Arizona are Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper's Hawk and Harris's Hawk β€” 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 Arizona

  • Chiricahua National Monument β€” National Monument
  • Coronado National Memorial β€” National Memorial
  • Fort Bowie National Historic Site β€” National Historic Site
  • Grand Canyon National Park β€” National Park
  • Lake Mead National Recreation Area β€” National Recreation Area
  • Montezuma Castle National Monument β€” National Monument
Plan your tripChiricahua National Monument

Plan your eagle trip in Arizona

Start with live tours near Chiricahua National Monument, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.

Gear to see them

Frequently asked questions

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

January is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through January, March and April, based on 23,532 verified iNaturalist observations.

When are eagles hardest to see in Arizona?+

June is the quietest month for eagles in Arizona, with only 1,339 verified records.

Are eagles active year-round in Arizona?+

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