Best Time to See Hawks in Mississippi
January, November and December is the best time to see hawks in Mississippi. Based on 2,654 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when hawks are most active across the year in Mississippi.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.
Krider's Red-tailed Hawk · Oscar Johnson CC BY
Bald Eagle · evangrimes CC BY
Bald Eagle · Kim CC BY
2,654 verified observations of hawks in Mississippi, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hawks are recorded in Mississippi
Peak month
January
316 records (11.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 316 | 11.9% |
| February | 269 | 10.1% |
| March | 227 | 8.6% |
| April | 232 | 8.7% |
| May | 225 | 8.5% |
| June | 162 | 6.1% |
| July | 158 | 6% |
| August | 130 | 4.9% |
| September | 143 | 5.4% |
| October | 206 | 7.8% |
| Novemberpeak | 297 | 11.2% |
| Decemberpeak | 289 | 10.9% |
Hawks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Bald Eagle | 628 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 600 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 530 |
| Mississippi Kite | 238 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 183 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 126 |
| Swallow-tailed Kite | 125 |
| Northern Harrier | 121 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Mississippi
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 40 to 66 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janbest time | 57°F | 40°F | 6" |
| Feb | 61°F | 42°F | 6.7" |
| Mar | 69°F | 49°F | 5.4" |
| Apr | 74°F | 54°F | 7.5" |
| May | 82°F | 63°F | 4.9" |
| Jun | 89°F | 70°F | 4.5" |
| Jul | 90°F | 74°F | 6" |
| Aug | 90°F | 74°F | 5.7" |
| Sep | 88°F | 69°F | 2.8" |
| Oct | 77°F | 58°F | 4.3" |
| Novbest time | 66°F | 46°F | 2.9" |
| Decbest time | 61°F | 44°F | 5.6" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Mississippi. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of hawks in Mississippi peak in January, when 316 of the year's 2,654 verified observations are logged — about 11.9% of the annual total. Activity stays high through January, November and December.
The quietest stretch is August, September and July, when hawks are hardest to find — August sees just 130 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 Mississippi are Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk and Red-shouldered 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 Mississippi
- Gulf Islands National Seashore — National Seashore
- Natchez Trace Parkway — Parkway
- Shiloh National Military Park — National Military Park
- Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield Site — National Battlefield Site
- Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument — National Monument
- Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument — National Monument
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see hawks in Mississippi?+
January is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through January, November and December, based on 2,654 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are hawks hardest to see in Mississippi?+
August is the quietest month for hawks in Mississippi, with only 130 verified records.
Are hawks active year-round in Mississippi?+
Hawks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Mississippi, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in January.
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in Mississippi