Best Time to See Hawks in Idaho
January, April and March is the best time to see hawks in Idaho. Based on 10,549 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when hawks are most active across the year in Idaho.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Bald Eagle · Daughter Dad CC BY
Bald Eagle · Daughter Dad CC BY
American Goshawk · Charles Swift CC BY
10,549 verified observations of hawks in Idaho, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hawks are recorded in Idaho
Peak month
January
1,263 records (12% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 1,263 | 12% |
| February | 1,037 | 9.8% |
| Marchpeak | 1,148 | 10.9% |
| Aprilpeak | 1,210 | 11.5% |
| May | 839 | 8% |
| June | 682 | 6.5% |
| July | 730 | 6.9% |
| August | 632 | 6% |
| September | 776 | 7.4% |
| October | 558 | 5.3% |
| November | 740 | 7% |
| December | 934 | 8.9% |
Hawks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Red-tailed Hawk | 3,672 |
| Bald Eagle | 2,290 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 1,277 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 910 |
| Northern Harrier | 835 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 377 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 337 |
| Golden Eagle | 336 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Idaho
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 13 to 48 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janbest time | 31°F | 13°F | 1.6" |
| Feb | 32°F | 14°F | 2.4" |
| Marbest time | 41°F | 20°F | 1.7" |
| Aprbest time | 48°F | 25°F | 1.9" |
| May | 60°F | 35°F | 2.9" |
| Jun | 71°F | 44°F | 2.9" |
| Jul | 82°F | 51°F | 1.2" |
| Aug | 81°F | 51°F | 1.9" |
| Sep | 71°F | 43°F | 1.9" |
| Oct | 54°F | 29°F | 1.8" |
| Nov | 40°F | 19°F | 1.8" |
| Dec | 31°F | 13°F | 1.8" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Idaho. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on hawks in Idaho:
Sightings of hawks in Idaho peak in January, when 1,263 of the year's 10,549 verified observations are logged — about 12% of the annual total. Activity stays high through January, April and March.
The quietest stretch is October, August and June, when hawks are hardest to find — October sees just 558 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 Idaho are Red-tailed Hawk, Bald Eagle and Swainson'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 Idaho
- City Of Rocks National Reserve — National Reserve
- Craters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve — National Monument & Preserve
- Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument — National Monument
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Nez Perce National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Yellowstone National Park — National Park
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see hawks in Idaho?+
January is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through January, April and March, based on 10,549 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are hawks hardest to see in Idaho?+
October is the quietest month for hawks in Idaho, with only 558 verified records.
Are hawks active year-round in Idaho?+
Hawks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Idaho, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in January.
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in Idaho