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.
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 · Eliseo D Moreno CC BY-SA
Bald Eagle · Dan Vickers CC BY
Cooper's Hawk · Tristan A. McKnight CC BY
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)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 2,746 | 11.7% |
| February | 2,130 | 9.1% |
| Marchpeak | 2,585 | 11% |
| Aprilpeak | 2,559 | 10.9% |
| May | 2,006 | 8.5% |
| June | 1,339 | 5.7% |
| July | 1,548 | 6.6% |
| August | 1,718 | 7.3% |
| September | 1,413 | 6% |
| October | 1,391 | 5.9% |
| November | 1,741 | 7.4% |
| December | 2,356 | 10% |
Eagles you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Red-tailed Hawk | 7,386 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 5,596 |
| Harris's Hawk | 2,689 |
| Gray Hawk | 1,119 |
| Zone-tailed Hawk | 1,104 |
| Bald Eagle | 1,080 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 920 |
| Northern Harrier | 889 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Arizona
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 34 to 71 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janbest time | 52°F | 34°F | 1.9" |
| Feb | 52°F | 34°F | 1.9" |
| Marbest time | 58°F | 39°F | 2.7" |
| Aprbest time | 71°F | 49°F | 0.2" |
| May | 77°F | 56°F | 0.3" |
| Jun | 88°F | 66°F | 0.3" |
| Jul | 91°F | 72°F | 2.7" |
| Aug | 88°F | 70°F | 2.2" |
| Sep | 84°F | 64°F | 1.4" |
| Oct | 73°F | 52°F | 0.6" |
| Nov | 63°F | 43°F | 1.5" |
| Dec | 53°F | 36°F | 2" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Arizona. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on eagles in Arizona:
Sightings of eagles in Arizona peak in January, when 2,746 of the year's 23,532 verified observations are logged — 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 — 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 — 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 — National Monument
- Coronado National Memorial — National Memorial
- Fort Bowie National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Grand Canyon National Park — National Park
- Lake Mead National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
- Montezuma Castle National Monument — National Monument
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.
More places to see eagles
More wildlife in Arizona