Best Time to See Hawks in Arkansas
May, January and April is the best time to see hawks in Arkansas. Based on 4,145 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when hawks are most active across the year in Arkansas.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Mississippi Kite · Kent Miller CC BY-ND
Cooper's Hawk · hr_dragonfly CC BY
Red-shouldered Hawk · Aaron Doucett CC BY-SA
4,145 verified observations of hawks in Arkansas, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hawks are recorded in Arkansas
Peak month
May
452 records (10.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 420 | 10.1% |
| February | 369 | 8.9% |
| March | 360 | 8.7% |
| Aprilpeak | 377 | 9.1% |
| Maypeak | 452 | 10.9% |
| June | 342 | 8.3% |
| July | 336 | 8.1% |
| August | 295 | 7.1% |
| September | 233 | 5.6% |
| October | 231 | 5.6% |
| November | 358 | 8.6% |
| December | 372 | 9% |
Hawks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 1,197 |
| Bald Eagle | 935 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 771 |
| Mississippi Kite | 538 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 238 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 205 |
| Northern Harrier | 123 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 55 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Arkansas
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 36 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janbest time | 52°F | 36°F | 4.7" |
| Feb | 54°F | 36°F | 5.3" |
| Mar | 64°F | 45°F | 6.1" |
| Aprbest time | 71°F | 52°F | 6.8" |
| Maybest time | 80°F | 62°F | 5.3" |
| Jun | 88°F | 70°F | 4.4" |
| Jul | 92°F | 74°F | 3.7" |
| Aug | 91°F | 74°F | 3.3" |
| Sep | 87°F | 68°F | 2" |
| Oct | 74°F | 56°F | 4.3" |
| Nov | 61°F | 43°F | 3.1" |
| Dec | 57°F | 40°F | 3.8" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Arkansas. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of hawks in Arkansas peak in May, when 452 of the year's 4,145 verified observations are logged — about 10.9% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, January and April.
The quietest stretch is October, September and August, when hawks are hardest to find — October sees just 231 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 Arkansas are Red-shouldered Hawk, Bald Eagle and Red-tailed 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 Arkansas
- Arkansas Post National Memorial — National Memorial
- Buffalo National River — National River
- Hot Springs National Park — National Park
- Pea Ridge National Military Park — National Military Park
- Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Fort Smith National Historic Site — National Historic Site
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see hawks in Arkansas?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, January and April, based on 4,145 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are hawks hardest to see in Arkansas?+
October is the quietest month for hawks in Arkansas, with only 231 verified records.
Are hawks active year-round in Arkansas?+
Hawks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Arkansas, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in Arkansas