Best Time to See Birds in Hawaii
March, December and January is the best time to see birds in Hawaii. Based on 146,354 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when birds are most active across the year in Hawaii.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
White-tailed Tropicbird · Public domain CC0
ʻIʻiwi · Clay Gibbons CC BY
ʻAkohekohe · Araks Ohanyan CC BY
146,354 verified observations of birds in Hawaii, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When birds are recorded in Hawaii
Peak month
March
16,338 records (11.2% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 14,259 | 9.7% |
| February | 12,530 | 8.6% |
| Marchpeak | 16,338 | 11.2% |
| April | 13,671 | 9.3% |
| May | 13,746 | 9.4% |
| June | 12,155 | 8.3% |
| July | 9,550 | 6.5% |
| August | 9,668 | 6.6% |
| September | 9,080 | 6.2% |
| October | 9,249 | 6.3% |
| November | 11,090 | 7.6% |
| Decemberpeak | 15,018 | 10.3% |
Birds you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Red-crested Cardinal | 9,343 |
| Zebra Dove | 8,920 |
| Common Myna | 7,889 |
| Pacific Golden-Plover | 7,258 |
| Western Cattle-Egret | 6,356 |
| Red Junglefowl | 6,049 |
| Hawaiian Goose | 5,238 |
| Black-crowned Night Heron | 4,914 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Hawaii
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when birds are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for birds sit around 57 to 71 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janbest time | 69°F | 57°F | 8.6" |
| Feb | 68°F | 56°F | 15.6" |
| Marbest time | 70°F | 57°F | 11.5" |
| Apr | 71°F | 58°F | 15.1" |
| May | 72°F | 59°F | 17.2" |
| Jun | 74°F | 61°F | 18.8" |
| Jul | 76°F | 62°F | 18.1" |
| Aug | 76°F | 62°F | 16" |
| Sep | 76°F | 62°F | 19.4" |
| Oct | 75°F | 62°F | 11.3" |
| Nov | 73°F | 60°F | 10" |
| Decbest time | 71°F | 58°F | 13.7" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Hawaii. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on birds in Hawaii:
Sightings of birds in Hawaii peak in March, when 16,338 of the year's 146,354 verified observations are logged — about 11.2% of the annual total. Activity stays high through March, December and January.
The quietest stretch is September, October and July, when birds are hardest to find — September sees just 9,080 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The birds you are most likely to encounter in Hawaii are Red-crested Cardinal, Zebra Dove and Common Myna — 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 birds in Hawaii
- Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park — National Park
- Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Haleakalā National Park — National Park
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see birds in Hawaii?+
March is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through March, December and January, based on 146,354 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are birds hardest to see in Hawaii?+
September is the quietest month for birds in Hawaii, with only 9,080 verified records.
Are birds active year-round in Hawaii?+
Birds are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Hawaii, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in March.
More places to see birds
More wildlife in Hawaii