Best Time to See Hawks in Illinois
January, February and March is the best time to see hawks in Illinois. Based on 20,013 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when hawks are most active across the year in Illinois.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.
Swallow-tailed Kite · Thibaud Aronson CC BY-SA
Red-tailed Hawk · psweet CC BY-SA
Red-tailed Hawk · psweet CC BY-SA
20,013 verified observations of hawks in Illinois, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hawks are recorded in Illinois
Peak month
January
2,240 records (11.2% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 2,240 | 11.2% |
| Februarypeak | 2,167 | 10.8% |
| Marchpeak | 2,162 | 10.8% |
| April | 2,052 | 10.3% |
| May | 1,473 | 7.4% |
| June | 795 | 4% |
| July | 864 | 4.3% |
| August | 1,286 | 6.4% |
| September | 1,563 | 7.8% |
| October | 1,826 | 9.1% |
| November | 1,857 | 9.3% |
| December | 1,728 | 8.6% |
Hawks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Red-tailed Hawk | 7,686 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 4,549 |
| Bald Eagle | 4,364 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 1,190 |
| Northern Harrier | 652 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 377 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 309 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 288 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Illinois
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 22 to 53 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janbest time | 38°F | 23°F | 3" |
| Febbest time | 40°F | 22°F | 3.1" |
| Marbest time | 53°F | 34°F | 4.8" |
| Apr | 63°F | 43°F | 4.1" |
| May | 73°F | 54°F | 4.6" |
| Jun | 83°F | 64°F | 3.5" |
| Jul | 85°F | 68°F | 4.3" |
| Aug | 83°F | 66°F | 3.9" |
| Sep | 79°F | 61°F | 3" |
| Oct | 65°F | 48°F | 4.9" |
| Nov | 52°F | 35°F | 1.8" |
| Dec | 45°F | 29°F | 2.3" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Illinois. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of hawks in Illinois peak in January, when 2,240 of the year's 20,013 verified observations are logged — about 11.2% of the annual total. Activity stays high through January, February and March.
The quietest stretch is June and July, when hawks are hardest to find — June sees just 795 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 Illinois are Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper's Hawk and Bald Eagle — 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 Illinois
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Lincoln Home National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument — National Monument
- Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- New Philadelphia National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Pullman National Historical Park — National Historical Park
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see hawks in Illinois?+
January is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through January, February and March, based on 20,013 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are hawks hardest to see in Illinois?+
June is the quietest month for hawks in Illinois, with only 795 verified records.
Are hawks active year-round in Illinois?+
Hawks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Illinois, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in January.
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in Illinois