Best Time to See Hawks in Missouri
December, January and February is the best time to see hawks in Missouri. Based on 7,828 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when hawks 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.
7,828 verified observations of hawks in Missouri, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hawks 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 | 9.6% |
| May | 731 | 9.3% |
| June | 496 | 6.3% |
| July | 480 | 6.1% |
| August | 562 | 7.2% |
| September | 511 | 6.5% |
| October | 479 | 6.1% |
| November | 723 | 9.2% |
| Decemberpeak | 830 | 10.6% |
Hawks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Red-tailed Hawk | 2,217 |
| Bald Eagle | 1,834 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 1,656 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 780 |
| Mississippi Kite | 418 |
| 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 hawks are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for hawks 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 hawks in Missouri:
Sightings of hawks in Missouri peak in December, when 830 of the year's 7,828 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 hawks 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 hawks 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 hawks 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 hawks in Missouri?+
December is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through December, January and February, based on 7,828 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are hawks hardest to see in Missouri?+
October is the quietest month for hawks in Missouri, with only 479 verified records.
Are hawks active year-round in Missouri?+
Hawks 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 hawks
More wildlife in Missouri