Best Time to See Eagles in Montana
May, August and June is the best time to see eagles in Montana. Based on 4,291 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when eagles are most active across the year in Montana.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.
Red-tailed Hawk · Tom Field CC BY
Swainson's Hawk · Public domain CC0
Sharp-shinned Hawk · Cole Wolf CC BY
4,291 verified observations of eagles in Montana, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When eagles are recorded in Montana
Peak month
May
536 records (12.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 328 | 7.6% |
| February | 280 | 6.5% |
| March | 238 | 5.5% |
| April | 342 | 8% |
| Maypeak | 536 | 12.5% |
| Junepeak | 499 | 11.6% |
| July | 452 | 10.5% |
| Augustpeak | 510 | 11.9% |
| September | 374 | 8.7% |
| October | 231 | 5.4% |
| November | 184 | 4.3% |
| December | 317 | 7.4% |
Eagles you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Bald Eagle | 1,359 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 990 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 347 |
| Golden Eagle | 323 |
| Northern Harrier | 308 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 293 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 213 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 174 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Montana
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 36 to 74 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 29°F | 17°F | 1" |
| Feb | 22°F | 9°F | 1.5" |
| Mar | 33°F | 18°F | 1.1" |
| Apr | 40°F | 24°F | 2.3" |
| Maybest time | 53°F | 36°F | 3.5" |
| Junbest time | 65°F | 47°F | 3.2" |
| Jul | 75°F | 55°F | 2" |
| Augbest time | 74°F | 54°F | 1.7" |
| Sep | 65°F | 46°F | 2.1" |
| Oct | 46°F | 31°F | 2" |
| Nov | 36°F | 23°F | 1" |
| Dec | 30°F | 18°F | 1" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Montana. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on eagles in Montana:
Sightings of eagles in Montana peak in May, when 536 of the year's 4,291 verified observations are logged — about 12.5% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, August and June.
The quietest stretch is November, October and March, when eagles are hardest to find — November sees just 184 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 Montana are Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk and Swainson'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 eagles in Montana
- Big Hole National Battlefield — National Battlefield
- Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
- Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Nez Perce National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Yellowstone National Park — National Park
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see eagles in Montana?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, August and June, based on 4,291 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are eagles hardest to see in Montana?+
November is the quietest month for eagles in Montana, with only 184 verified records.
Are eagles active year-round in Montana?+
Eagles are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Montana, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More places to see eagles
More wildlife in Montana