Hawks in Arizona in December
Yes, December is a good month to see hawks in Arizona. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 2,353 of the 23,428 sightings logged across the year (10%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Good month for hawks in Arizona
10%
of yearly sightings
2,353
records in December
#4
busiest month of 12
23,428
verified records a year
November 7.4%, December 10%, January 11.7%. Busiest month is January at 11.7%.
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 |
In Arizona, December carries 10% of the year's hawks sightings, about 1.7 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from November (7.4%) into December, and it heads toward January (11.7%) after. The busiest month is January (11.7%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The hawks most often recorded in Arizona are Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper's Hawk and Harris's Hawk. Those counts are annual totals rather than a December split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in December itself.
Which hawks you are most likely to see
- Red-tailed Hawk7,370 records
- Cooper's Hawk5,567 records
- Harris's Hawk2,681 records
- Gray Hawk1,112 records
- Zone-tailed Hawk1,102 records
- Bald Eagle1,069 records
Plan your hawk 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.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Chiricahua National Monument
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main hawk viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Chiricahua National Monument
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best hawk viewing area in Arizona.
Viator
Broader backupBook a hawk tour in Arizona
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see hawks in Arizona in December?+
Yes. December accounts for 2,353 of the 23,428 verified hawks sightings logged in Arizona across the year, which is 10% of the annual total.
Is December a good time to see hawks in Arizona?+
December is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though January and March is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for hawks in Arizona?+
January is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through January, March and April, based on 23,428 verified observations.
Which hawks are you most likely to see in Arizona?+
The most-recorded species in Arizona are Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper's Hawk and Harris's Hawk, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See hawks in Arizona in other months
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in Arizona