Best Time to See Hawks in California
January, December and February is the best time to see hawks in California. Based on 242,207 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when hawks are most active across the year in California.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Red-shouldered Hawk · Linzy L. CC BY-SA
Cooper's Hawk · Becky Matsubara CC BY
Red-tailed Hawk · Brooke J. CC BY
242,207 verified observations of hawks in California, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hawks are recorded in California
Peak month
January
28,743 records (11.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 28,743 | 11.9% |
| Februarypeak | 24,611 | 10.2% |
| March | 23,167 | 9.6% |
| April | 20,691 | 8.5% |
| May | 17,142 | 7.1% |
| June | 17,038 | 7% |
| July | 15,052 | 6.2% |
| August | 12,618 | 5.2% |
| September | 15,541 | 6.4% |
| October | 19,661 | 8.1% |
| November | 22,438 | 9.3% |
| Decemberpeak | 25,505 | 10.5% |
Hawks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Red-tailed Hawk | 100,841 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 44,378 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 35,699 |
| Northern Harrier | 15,285 |
| White-tailed Kite | 13,783 |
| Bald Eagle | 12,317 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 5,159 |
| Golden Eagle | 4,009 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in California
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 30 to 53 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janbest time | 53°F | 31°F | 5.6" |
| Febbest time | 53°F | 30°F | 4.4" |
| Mar | 55°F | 33°F | 7.3" |
| Apr | 66°F | 40°F | 1.8" |
| May | 73°F | 46°F | 1.6" |
| Jun | 84°F | 55°F | 0.2" |
| Jul | 94°F | 62°F | 0" |
| Aug | 93°F | 62°F | 0.3" |
| Sep | 85°F | 57°F | 0.8" |
| Oct | 73°F | 46°F | 1.2" |
| Nov | 61°F | 36°F | 2.3" |
| Decbest time | 53°F | 33°F | 7.8" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for California. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of hawks in California peak in January, when 28,743 of the year's 242,207 verified observations are logged — about 11.9% of the annual total. Activity stays high through January, December and February.
The quietest stretch is August, July and September, when hawks are hardest to find — August sees just 12,618 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 California are Red-tailed Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk and Cooper'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 California
- Alcatraz Island
- Cabrillo National Monument — National Monument
- Channel Islands National Park — National Park
- Death Valley National Park — National Park
- Devils Postpile National Monument — National Monument
- Golden Gate National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see hawks in California?+
January is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through January, December and February, based on 242,207 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are hawks hardest to see in California?+
August is the quietest month for hawks in California, with only 12,618 verified records.
Are hawks active year-round in California?+
Hawks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in California, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in January.
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in California