Best Time to See Eagles in Missouri
December, January and February is the best time to see eagles in Missouri. Based on 7,840 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when eagles are most active across the year in Missouri.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
7,840 verified observations of eagles in Missouri, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When eagles are recorded in Missouri
Peak month
December
830 records (10.6% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 798 | 10.2% |
| Februarypeak | 775 | 9.9% |
| March | 695 | 8.9% |
| April | 748 | 9.5% |
| May | 731 | 9.3% |
| June | 508 | 6.5% |
| July | 480 | 6.1% |
| August | 562 | 7.2% |
| September | 511 | 6.5% |
| October | 479 | 6.1% |
| November | 723 | 9.2% |
| Decemberpeak | 830 | 10.6% |
Eagles you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Red-tailed Hawk | 2,218 |
| Bald Eagle | 1,836 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 1,660 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 781 |
| Mississippi Kite | 421 |
| Northern Harrier | 274 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 179 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 114 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Missouri
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when eagles are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for eagles sit around 25 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janbest time | 43°F | 27°F | 3" |
| Febbest time | 45°F | 25°F | 3.2" |
| Mar | 57°F | 37°F | 5.6" |
| Apr | 67°F | 45°F | 4.7" |
| May | 74°F | 56°F | 5.9" |
| Jun | 86°F | 65°F | 4.3" |
| Jul | 90°F | 70°F | 4.2" |
| Aug | 88°F | 69°F | 5.1" |
| Sep | 84°F | 63°F | 2.2" |
| Oct | 68°F | 49°F | 5" |
| Nov | 57°F | 38°F | 2.1" |
| Decbest time | 50°F | 32°F | 2.1" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Missouri. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on eagles in Missouri:
Sightings of eagles in Missouri peak in December, when 830 of the year's 7,840 verified observations are logged — about 10.6% of the annual total. Activity stays high through December, January and February.
The quietest stretch is October, July and June, when eagles are hardest to find — October sees just 479 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The eagles you are most likely to encounter in Missouri are Red-tailed Hawk, Bald Eagle 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 eagles in Missouri
- George Washington Carver National Monument — National Monument
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Ozark National Scenic Riverways — National Scenic Riverways
- Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Wilson's Creek National Battlefield — National Battlefield
- Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see eagles in Missouri?+
December is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through December, January and February, based on 7,840 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are eagles hardest to see in Missouri?+
October is the quietest month for eagles in Missouri, with only 479 verified records.
Are eagles active year-round in Missouri?+
Eagles are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Missouri, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in December.
More places to see eagles
More wildlife in Missouri