Best Time to See Hawks in Iowa
March, January and December is the best time to see hawks in Iowa. Based on 3,398 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when hawks are most active across the year in Iowa.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Rough-legged Hawk · Curtis Meyers CC BY-SA
Rough-legged Hawk · evangrimes CC BY
Bald Eagle · psweet CC BY-SA
3,398 verified observations of hawks in Iowa, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hawks are recorded in Iowa
Peak month
March
437 records (12.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 373 | 11% |
| February | 361 | 10.6% |
| Marchpeak | 437 | 12.9% |
| April | 339 | 10% |
| May | 223 | 6.6% |
| June | 147 | 4.3% |
| July | 186 | 5.5% |
| August | 202 | 5.9% |
| September | 228 | 6.7% |
| October | 263 | 7.7% |
| November | 271 | 8% |
| Decemberpeak | 368 | 10.8% |
Hawks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Bald Eagle | 1,365 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 985 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 460 |
| Northern Harrier | 117 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 97 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 96 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 73 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 52 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Iowa
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 | 29°F | 13°F | 1.8" |
| Feb | 30°F | 11°F | 1.3" |
| Marbest time | 48°F | 29°F | 2.6" |
| Apr | 60°F | 39°F | 2.5" |
| May | 70°F | 52°F | 5.3" |
| Jun | 82°F | 63°F | 4.1" |
| Jul | 84°F | 67°F | 3.6" |
| Aug | 83°F | 65°F | 3" |
| Sep | 78°F | 59°F | 2.9" |
| Oct | 61°F | 44°F | 4.2" |
| Nov | 48°F | 31°F | 1.6" |
| Decbest time | 39°F | 23°F | 1.5" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Iowa. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on hawks in Iowa:
Sightings of hawks in Iowa peak in March, when 437 of the year's 3,398 verified observations are logged — about 12.9% of the annual total. Activity stays high through March, January and December.
The quietest stretch is June, July and August, when hawks are hardest to find — June sees just 147 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 Iowa are Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk and Cooper'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 Iowa
- Effigy Mounds National Monument — National Monument
- Herbert Hoover National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Saylorville Reservoir (general location—use more specific hotspots)
- Red Rock Reservoir (general location—use more specific hotspots)
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see hawks in Iowa?+
March is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through March, January and December, based on 3,398 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are hawks hardest to see in Iowa?+
June is the quietest month for hawks in Iowa, with only 147 verified records.
Are hawks active year-round in Iowa?+
Hawks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Iowa, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in March.