Hawks in Minnesota in October
Yes, October is a good month to see hawks in Minnesota. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 1,139 of the 14,208 sightings logged across the year (8%), 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 hawks in Minnesota
8%
of yearly sightings
1,139
records in October
#5
busiest month of 12
14,208
verified records a year
September 9.4%, October 8%, November 5.8%. Busiest month is April at 16.8%.
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 |
In Minnesota, October carries 8% of the year's hawks sightings, about 0.3 points below an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 5th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from September (9.4%) into October, and it heads toward November (5.8%) after. The busiest month is April (16.8%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The hawks most often recorded in Minnesota are Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk and Cooper's Hawk. Those counts are annual totals rather than a October split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in October itself.
Which hawks you are most likely to see
- Bald Eagle6,691 records
- Red-tailed Hawk2,586 records
- Cooper's Hawk1,387 records
- Broad-winged Hawk1,235 records
- Sharp-shinned Hawk539 records
- Northern Harrier493 records
Plan your hawk trip in Minnesota
Start with live tours near Grand Portage National Monument, 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 Minnesota in October?+
Yes. October accounts for 1,139 of the 14,208 verified hawks sightings logged in Minnesota across the year, which is 8% of the annual total.
Is October a good time to see hawks in Minnesota?+
October is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though April and March is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for hawks in Minnesota?+
April is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through April, March and May, based on 14,208 verified observations.
Which hawks are you most likely to see in Minnesota?+
The most-recorded species in Minnesota are Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk and Cooper's Hawk, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See hawks in Minnesota in other months
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in Minnesota