Best Time to See Hawks in Indiana
April, May and March is the best time to see hawks in Indiana. Based on 6,789 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when hawks are most active across the year in Indiana.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.
Red-tailed Hawk · Daniel J. Layton CC BY
Bald Eagle · Mila C. CC BY
Red-shouldered Hawk · Indy Bender CC BY
6,789 verified observations of hawks in Indiana, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hawks are recorded in Indiana
Peak month
April
746 records (11% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 627 | 9.2% |
| February | 620 | 9.1% |
| Marchpeak | 655 | 9.6% |
| Aprilpeak | 746 | 11% |
| Maypeak | 666 | 9.8% |
| June | 355 | 5.2% |
| July | 430 | 6.3% |
| August | 464 | 6.8% |
| September | 511 | 7.5% |
| October | 498 | 7.3% |
| November | 573 | 8.4% |
| December | 644 | 9.5% |
Hawks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Red-tailed Hawk | 1,759 |
| Bald Eagle | 1,550 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 1,525 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 1,154 |
| Northern Harrier | 161 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 153 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 116 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 64 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Indiana
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 33 to 71 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 38°F | 24°F | 3.6" |
| Feb | 41°F | 24°F | 3.7" |
| Marbest time | 52°F | 33°F | 5.3" |
| Aprbest time | 61°F | 42°F | 3.6" |
| Maybest time | 71°F | 53°F | 4.5" |
| Jun | 81°F | 63°F | 3.2" |
| Jul | 84°F | 67°F | 4.7" |
| Aug | 83°F | 66°F | 3.6" |
| Sep | 78°F | 60°F | 1.8" |
| Oct | 65°F | 48°F | 4.4" |
| Nov | 51°F | 34°F | 2.3" |
| Dec | 44°F | 29°F | 3" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Indiana. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on hawks in Indiana:
Sightings of hawks in Indiana peak in April, when 746 of the year's 6,789 verified observations are logged — about 11% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and March.
The quietest stretch is June, July and August, when hawks are hardest to find — June sees just 355 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 Indiana are Red-tailed Hawk, Bald Eagle and Red-shouldered 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 Indiana
- Indiana Dunes National Park — National Park
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial — National Memorial
- George Rogers Clark National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Indiana Dunes SP
- Gibson Generating Station
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see hawks in Indiana?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and March, based on 6,789 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are hawks hardest to see in Indiana?+
June is the quietest month for hawks in Indiana, with only 355 verified records.
Are hawks active year-round in Indiana?+
Hawks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Indiana, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in Indiana