Best Time to See Hawks in Louisiana
April, January and May is the best time to see hawks in Louisiana. Based on 6,937 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when hawks are most active across the year in Louisiana.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Red-shouldered Hawk · Public domain CC0
Swainson's Hawk · Kent Miller CC BY-ND
Cooper's Hawk · Jody Shugart CC BY
6,937 verified observations of hawks in Louisiana, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hawks are recorded in Louisiana
Peak month
April
1,006 records (14.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 743 | 10.7% |
| February | 624 | 9% |
| March | 557 | 8% |
| Aprilpeak | 1,006 | 14.5% |
| Maypeak | 713 | 10.3% |
| June | 464 | 6.7% |
| July | 379 | 5.5% |
| August | 372 | 5.4% |
| September | 227 | 3.3% |
| October | 484 | 7% |
| November | 677 | 9.8% |
| December | 691 | 10% |
Hawks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Red-tailed Hawk | 1,342 |
| Mississippi Kite | 1,300 |
| Bald Eagle | 1,204 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 1,155 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 653 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 328 |
| Northern Harrier | 324 |
| Swallow-tailed Kite | 259 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Louisiana
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 44 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janbest time | 61°F | 44°F | 5.6" |
| Feb | 64°F | 46°F | 5.3" |
| Mar | 72°F | 54°F | 5.8" |
| Aprbest time | 76°F | 58°F | 7.8" |
| Maybest time | 85°F | 67°F | 6" |
| Jun | 90°F | 73°F | 4.9" |
| Jul | 91°F | 75°F | 8.2" |
| Aug | 93°F | 76°F | 4.7" |
| Sep | 90°F | 71°F | 4.1" |
| Oct | 80°F | 62°F | 3.7" |
| Nov | 69°F | 50°F | 3.8" |
| Dec | 65°F | 48°F | 4.9" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Louisiana. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on hawks in Louisiana:
Sightings of hawks in Louisiana peak in April, when 1,006 of the year's 6,937 verified observations are logged — about 14.5% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, January and May.
The quietest stretch is September, when hawks are hardest to find — September sees just 227 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 Louisiana are Red-tailed Hawk, Mississippi Kite and Bald Eagle — 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 Louisiana
- Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve — National Historical Park and Preserve
- Cane River Creole National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Poverty Point National Monument — National Monument
- Vicksburg National Military Park — National Military Park
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see hawks in Louisiana?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, January and May, based on 6,937 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are hawks hardest to see in Louisiana?+
September is the quietest month for hawks in Louisiana, with only 227 verified records.
Are hawks active year-round in Louisiana?+
Hawks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Louisiana, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in Louisiana