Hawks in Kansas in December
Yes, December is one of the best months to see hawks in Kansas. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 458 of the 4,545 sightings logged across the year (10.1%), 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 July 2, 2026.
Peak month for hawks in Kansas
10.1%
of yearly sightings
458
records in December
#3
busiest month of 12
4,545
verified records a year
November 9.5%, December 10.1%, January 9.4%. Busiest month is May at 11.3%.
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 |
In Kansas, December carries 10.1% of the year's hawks sightings, about 1.8 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity holds steady between November and December, and it heads toward January (9.4%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so December is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The hawks most often recorded in Kansas are Red-tailed Hawk, Bald Eagle and Red-shouldered Hawk. Those counts are annual totals rather than a December split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in December itself.
Which hawks you are most likely to see
- Red-tailed Hawk1,424 records
- Bald Eagle903 records
- Red-shouldered Hawk553 records
- Mississippi Kite489 records
- Cooper's Hawk377 records
- Northern Harrier269 records
Plan your hawk trip in Kansas
Start with live tours near Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
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Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main hawk viewing area.
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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 Kansas in December?+
Yes. December accounts for 458 of the 4,545 verified hawks sightings logged in Kansas across the year, which is 10.1% of the annual total.
Is December a good time to see hawks in Kansas?+
December is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of May, February and December.
What month is best for hawks in Kansas?+
May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, February and December, based on 4,545 verified observations.
Which hawks are you most likely to see in Kansas?+
The most-recorded species in Kansas are Red-tailed Hawk, Bald Eagle and Red-shouldered Hawk, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See hawks in Kansas in other months
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in Kansas