Best Time to See Hawks in Kansas
May, February and December is the best time to see hawks in Kansas. Based on 4,545 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when hawks are most active across the year in Kansas.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.
Mississippi Kite · Public domain CC0
Red-tailed Hawk · Thomas Koffel CC BY
Red-tailed Hawk · datadan CC BY
4,545 verified observations of hawks in Kansas, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hawks are recorded in Kansas
Peak month
May
512 records (11.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 425 | 9.4% |
| Februarypeak | 459 | 10.1% |
| March | 374 | 8.2% |
| April | 445 | 9.8% |
| Maypeak | 512 | 11.3% |
| June | 286 | 6.3% |
| July | 307 | 6.8% |
| August | 277 | 6.1% |
| September | 259 | 5.7% |
| October | 311 | 6.8% |
| November | 432 | 9.5% |
| Decemberpeak | 458 | 10.1% |
Hawks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Red-tailed Hawk | 1,424 |
| Bald Eagle | 903 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 553 |
| Mississippi Kite | 489 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 377 |
| Northern Harrier | 269 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 180 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 89 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Kansas
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 74 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 43°F | 25°F | 1.1" |
| Febbest time | 43°F | 22°F | 1.1" |
| Mar | 55°F | 35°F | 2.2" |
| Apr | 67°F | 45°F | 1.2" |
| Maybest time | 74°F | 55°F | 6.5" |
| Jun | 87°F | 67°F | 3.7" |
| Jul | 91°F | 71°F | 2.3" |
| Aug | 90°F | 70°F | 1.8" |
| Sep | 84°F | 64°F | 1.7" |
| Oct | 68°F | 48°F | 1.3" |
| Nov | 56°F | 37°F | 1.3" |
| Decbest time | 47°F | 29°F | 1.1" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Kansas. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on hawks in Kansas:
Sightings of hawks in Kansas peak in May, when 512 of the year's 4,545 verified observations are logged — about 11.3% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, February and December.
The quietest stretch is September, August and June, when hawks are hardest to find — September sees just 259 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 Kansas 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 Kansas
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve — National Preserve
- Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- California National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Fort Larned National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Fort Scott National Historic Site — National Historic Site
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see hawks in Kansas?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, February and December, based on 4,545 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are hawks hardest to see in Kansas?+
September is the quietest month for hawks in Kansas, with only 259 verified records.
Are hawks active year-round in Kansas?+
Hawks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Kansas, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in Kansas