Eagles in Massachusetts in May
Yes, May is a good month to see eagles in Massachusetts. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 1,867 of the 20,677 sightings logged across the year (9%), 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.
Good month for eagles in Massachusetts
9%
of yearly sightings
1,867
records in May
#4
busiest month of 12
20,677
verified records a year
April 11.8%, May 9%, June 5.6%. Busiest month is April at 11.8%.
20,677 verified observations of eagles in Massachusetts, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When eagles are recorded in Massachusetts
Peak month
April
2,442 records (11.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 1,904 | 9.2% |
| February | 1,797 | 8.7% |
| Marchpeak | 2,101 | 10.2% |
| Aprilpeak | 2,442 | 11.8% |
| May | 1,867 | 9% |
| June | 1,150 | 5.6% |
| July | 1,153 | 5.6% |
| August | 1,482 | 7.2% |
| September | 1,554 | 7.5% |
| October | 1,784 | 8.6% |
| November | 1,676 | 8.1% |
| December | 1,767 | 8.5% |
Eagles you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Red-tailed Hawk | 9,892 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 3,596 |
| Bald Eagle | 2,615 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 1,284 |
| Northern Harrier | 1,138 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 677 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 508 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 102 |
In Massachusetts, May carries 9% of the year's eagles sightings, about 0.7 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from April (11.8%) into May, and it heads toward June (5.6%) after. The busiest month is April (11.8%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The eagles most often recorded in Massachusetts are Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper's Hawk and Bald Eagle. Those counts are annual totals rather than a May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May itself.
Which eagles you are most likely to see
- Red-tailed Hawk9,892 records
- Cooper's Hawk3,596 records
- Bald Eagle2,615 records
- Red-shouldered Hawk1,284 records
- Northern Harrier1,138 records
- Broad-winged Hawk677 records
Plan your eagle trip in Massachusetts
Start with live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
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Live tours nearbySee live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main eagle viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
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Broader backupBook a eagle tour in Massachusetts
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 eagles in Massachusetts in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 1,867 of the 20,677 verified eagles sightings logged in Massachusetts across the year, which is 9% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see eagles in Massachusetts?+
May is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though April and March is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for eagles in Massachusetts?+
April is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through April, March and January, based on 20,677 verified observations.
Which eagles are you most likely to see in Massachusetts?+
The most-recorded species in Massachusetts are Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper's Hawk and Bald Eagle, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See eagles in Massachusetts in other months
More wildlife in Massachusetts