Best Time to See Hawks in Minnesota
April, March and May is the best time to see hawks in Minnesota. Based on 14,208 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when hawks are most active across the year in Minnesota.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.
Cooper's Hawk · Meghan Cassidy CC BY-SA
Sharp-shinned Hawk · Dominique Menard CC BY
Bald Eagle · Liren Varghese CC BY
14,208 verified observations of hawks in Minnesota, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hawks are recorded in Minnesota
Peak month
April
2,394 records (16.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 845 | 5.9% |
| February | 961 | 6.8% |
| Marchpeak | 1,541 | 10.8% |
| Aprilpeak | 2,394 | 16.8% |
| Maypeak | 1,536 | 10.8% |
| June | 804 | 5.7% |
| July | 949 | 6.7% |
| August | 1,085 | 7.6% |
| September | 1,339 | 9.4% |
| October | 1,139 | 8% |
| November | 829 | 5.8% |
| December | 786 | 5.5% |
Hawks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Bald Eagle | 6,691 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 2,586 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 1,387 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 1,235 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 539 |
| Northern Harrier | 493 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 460 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 292 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Minnesota
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 19 to 64 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 20°F | 5°F | 1" |
| Feb | 20°F | 2°F | 1" |
| Marbest time | 37°F | 19°F | 1.9" |
| Aprbest time | 48°F | 30°F | 2.9" |
| Maybest time | 64°F | 44°F | 2.6" |
| Jun | 77°F | 58°F | 2.6" |
| Jul | 79°F | 62°F | 4.6" |
| Aug | 77°F | 61°F | 3.8" |
| Sep | 70°F | 54°F | 3.6" |
| Oct | 53°F | 40°F | 2.7" |
| Nov | 38°F | 25°F | 1.8" |
| Dec | 27°F | 14°F | 2.5" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Minnesota. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of hawks in Minnesota peak in April, when 2,394 of the year's 14,208 verified observations are logged — about 16.8% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, March and May.
The quietest stretch is December, June and November, when hawks are hardest to find — December sees just 786 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 Minnesota are Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk and Cooper's 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 Minnesota
- Grand Portage National Monument — National Monument
- Mississippi National River & Recreation Area — National River & Recreation Area
- North Country National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Pipestone National Monument — National Monument
- Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway — National Scenic Riverway
- Voyageurs National Park — National Park
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see hawks in Minnesota?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, March and May, based on 14,208 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are hawks hardest to see in Minnesota?+
December is the quietest month for hawks in Minnesota, with only 786 verified records.
Are hawks active year-round in Minnesota?+
Hawks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Minnesota, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in Minnesota