Hawks in Iowa in April
Yes, April is a good month to see hawks in Iowa. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 339 of the 3,398 sightings logged across the year (10%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Good month for hawks in Iowa
10%
of yearly sightings
339
records in April
#5
busiest month of 12
3,398
verified records a year
March 12.9%, April 10%, May 6.6%. Busiest month is March at 12.9%.
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 |
In Iowa, April carries 10% of the year's hawks sightings, about 1.7 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 5th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from March (12.9%) into April, and it heads toward May (6.6%) after. The busiest month is March (12.9%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The hawks most often recorded in Iowa are Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk and Cooper's Hawk. Those counts are annual totals rather than a April split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in April itself.
Which hawks you are most likely to see
- Bald Eagle1,365 records
- Red-tailed Hawk985 records
- Cooper's Hawk460 records
- Northern Harrier117 records
- Rough-legged Hawk97 records
- Broad-winged Hawk96 records
Plan your hawk trip in Iowa
Start with live tours near Effigy Mounds National Monument, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Effigy Mounds National Monument
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main hawk viewing area.
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Broader backupBook a hawk tour in Iowa
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see hawks in Iowa in April?+
Yes. April accounts for 339 of the 3,398 verified hawks sightings logged in Iowa across the year, which is 10% of the annual total.
Is April a good time to see hawks in Iowa?+
April is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though March and January is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for hawks in Iowa?+
March is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through March, January and December, based on 3,398 verified observations.
Which hawks are you most likely to see in Iowa?+
The most-recorded species in Iowa are Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk and Cooper's Hawk, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See hawks in Iowa in other months
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in Iowa