Best Time to See Hawks in Arizona
January, March and April is the best time to see hawks in Arizona. Based on 23,428 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when hawks 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
23,428 verified observations of hawks in Arizona, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hawks are recorded in Arizona
Peak month
January
2,745 records (11.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 2,745 | 11.7% |
| February | 2,129 | 9.1% |
| Marchpeak | 2,584 | 11% |
| Aprilpeak | 2,550 | 10.9% |
| May | 1,985 | 8.5% |
| June | 1,291 | 5.5% |
| July | 1,535 | 6.6% |
| August | 1,719 | 7.3% |
| September | 1,412 | 6% |
| October | 1,390 | 5.9% |
| November | 1,735 | 7.4% |
| December | 2,353 | 10% |
Hawks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Red-tailed Hawk | 7,370 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 5,567 |
| Harris's Hawk | 2,681 |
| Gray Hawk | 1,112 |
| Zone-tailed Hawk | 1,102 |
| Bald Eagle | 1,069 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 911 |
| Northern Harrier | 887 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Arizona
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 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.
Sightings of hawks in Arizona peak in January, when 2,745 of the year's 23,428 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 hawks are hardest to find — June sees just 1,291 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 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 hawks 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 hawks in Arizona?+
January is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through January, March and April, based on 23,428 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are hawks hardest to see in Arizona?+
June is the quietest month for hawks in Arizona, with only 1,291 verified records.
Are hawks active year-round in Arizona?+
Hawks 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 hawks
More wildlife in Arizona