Best Time to See Hawks in Florida
January, March and December is the best time to see hawks in Florida. Based on 61,118 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when hawks are most active across the year in Florida.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Swainson's Hawk · Lyndsey CC BY
Short-tailed Hawk · Kevin Brix CC BY-SA
Cooper's Hawk · Eridan Xharahi CC BY
61,118 verified observations of hawks in Florida, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hawks are recorded in Florida
Peak month
January
7,357 records (12% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 7,357 | 12% |
| February | 6,197 | 10.1% |
| Marchpeak | 7,233 | 11.8% |
| April | 6,459 | 10.6% |
| May | 5,090 | 8.3% |
| June | 3,752 | 6.1% |
| July | 2,786 | 4.6% |
| August | 2,401 | 3.9% |
| September | 2,936 | 4.8% |
| October | 4,780 | 7.8% |
| November | 5,618 | 9.2% |
| Decemberpeak | 6,509 | 10.6% |
Hawks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 28,235 |
| Bald Eagle | 10,174 |
| Swallow-tailed Kite | 6,375 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 3,393 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 3,334 |
| Snail Kite | 2,752 |
| Northern Harrier | 1,953 |
| Short-tailed Hawk | 1,815 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Florida
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 52 to 81 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janbest time | 70°F | 52°F | 1.9" |
| Feb | 76°F | 57°F | 2.3" |
| Marbest time | 81°F | 60°F | 2.3" |
| Apr | 83°F | 64°F | 4.5" |
| May | 87°F | 68°F | 4.5" |
| Jun | 88°F | 73°F | 9.3" |
| Jul | 88°F | 75°F | 9.6" |
| Aug | 89°F | 76°F | 11.1" |
| Sep | 86°F | 73°F | 11.5" |
| Oct | 82°F | 69°F | 4" |
| Nov | 75°F | 61°F | 4.5" |
| Decbest time | 72°F | 56°F | 3.8" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Florida. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on hawks in Florida:
Sightings of hawks in Florida peak in January, when 7,357 of the year's 61,118 verified observations are logged — about 12% of the annual total. Activity stays high through January, March and December.
The quietest stretch is August, July and September, when hawks are hardest to find — August sees just 2,401 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 Florida are Red-shouldered Hawk, Bald Eagle and Swallow-tailed Kite — 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 Florida
- Big Cypress National Preserve — National Preserve
- Biscayne National Park — National Park
- Canaveral National Seashore — National Seashore
- Dry Tortugas National Park — National Park
- Everglades National Park — National Park
- Gulf Islands National Seashore — National Seashore
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see hawks in Florida?+
January is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through January, March and December, based on 61,118 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are hawks hardest to see in Florida?+
August is the quietest month for hawks in Florida, with only 2,401 verified records.
Are hawks active year-round in Florida?+
Hawks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Florida, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in January.
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in Florida