Hawks in Montana: Where to See Them and How to Identify Them
Yes, hawks are widespread across Montana, with several species calling the state home year-round or during migration. The state's diverse habitats, from wide grasslands to river valleys to mountainous terrain, support multiple hawk species. Start by learning the key identification features of common species like the Red-tailed Hawk, then head to the open grasslands and river valleys for the best odds of spotting them. Montana's hawk watching is most productive in spring and fall when migratory species pass through, though year-round residents like Red-tailed Hawks provide viewing opportunities throughout the seasons.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Red-tailed Hawk · Tom Field CC BY
Swainson's Hawk · Public domain CC0
Sharp-shinned Hawk · Cole Wolf CC BY
- 8
- species recorded
- 400,687
- GBIF records
- 6
- birding hotspots
- May, August, June
- peak months
Yes, hawks are in Montana. Next you'll want:
What hawk sound like
Verified field recordings from Xeno-canto. Press play to hear the calls birders listen for in the field.
Swallow-tailed Kite · flight call
0:05River Lakes Conservation Area near Viera, Brevard Co, Florida · © Paul Marvin CC BY-NC-SA · XC169364
Northern Harrier · call
0:05Whitewater Draw WA, near McNeal, Cochise Co, Arizona · © Paul Marvin CC BY-NC-SA · XC164241
Cooper's Hawk · alarm call
0:06Cape Coral Public Library · © Dany Sloan CC BY-NC-SA · XC859371
Verified species, source iNaturalist
11 types of hawks recorded in Montana
11 hawk species have a verified observation record in Montana across the hawk family (Accipitridae), which also includes eagles, kites and harriers, each with at least 10 confirmed sightings. The full list, ranked by how often each is recorded, is below.
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9
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11
Plus 1 more recorded only rarely (fewer than 10 verified sightings). Counts from verified iNaturalist observations. Photos by iNaturalist observers, reused under the licence each observer chose.
Real sighting data, source iNaturalist
4,313 verified observations on iNaturalist of hawk have been recorded in Montana, most often in May, August, June.
When hawk are recorded in Montana
Yes, hawks are widespread across Montana, with several species calling the state home year-round or during migration. The state's diverse habitats, from wide grasslands to river valleys to mountainous terrain, support multiple hawk species. Start by learning the key identification features of common species like the Red-tailed Hawk, then head to the open grasslands and river valleys for the best odds of spotting them. Montana's hawk watching is most productive in spring and fall when migratory species pass through, though year-round residents like Red-tailed Hawks provide viewing opportunities throughout the seasons.
What hawk species are found in Montana?
Montana hosts a variety of hawks. The most common is the Red-tailed Hawk, often seen perching on fence posts in open country. Swainson's Hawks arrive in spring and nest throughout eastern Montana, favoring grasslands and prairies. Ferruginous Hawks prefer the dry plains and are Montana's largest hawk species. Northern Harriers (often grouped with hawks) skim low over marshes and wet meadows year-round. Rough-legged Hawks migrate south from the Arctic in winter. Less common visitors include Coopers Hawks in woodland edges and Sharp-shinned Hawks during migration periods.
In Montana, hawk sightings usually improve when you slow down and match your first stop to where in the state sightings are most likely. Use thehawk species guideto study field marks before you head out. Each species has distinct habitat preferences, so understanding where to look is half the battle. For a full list, visit ourhawk species guide.
Montana hosts a variety of hawks. The most common is the Red-tailed Hawk, often seen perching on fence posts. Swainson's Hawks arrive in spring and nest in the east. Ferruginous Hawks prefer dry plains. Northern Harriers (often grouped with hawks) skim low over marshes. For a full list, visit ourhawk species guide.
In Montana, hawks sightings usually improve when you slow down and match your first stop to where in the state sightings are most likely. Use thestate wildlife huband theroute guideto narrow your first area, then check access, weather, and distance before you settle in. A short walk with one clear viewing plan often beats covering too much ground, especially when habitat changes fast from open edges to brush, wetlands, timber, shoreline, or neighborhood cover.
Where in Montana are hawk sightings most likely?
Your best bets are the wide-open spaces of eastern Montana. The Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge and the Missouri River Breaks hold good numbers of resident and migratory hawks. The Rocky Mountain Front offers ridge soaring in spring and fall. In the west, the Bitterroot Valley and Flathead Lake area offer mixed habitats where both resident and migratory species hunt. The Beartooth Plateau is excellent for sighting Rough-legged Hawks in winter. Check ourMontana wildlife overviewfor more locations.
Most misses happen when people arrive at the wrong hour or expect nonstop activity. Build around best season or time of day, keep one backup area in mind, and use theanimal facts pageplustour planning ideasto compare what a realistic outing looks like in Montana. If movement slows, stay longer at one promising spot, listen for calls or watch for edge movement, and reset around weather, light, water, or feeding changes instead of jumping to a totally new area too early.
What is the best season and time of day for hawk watching?
Spring migration (April-May) and fall migration (September-October) bring the most activity and the widest variety of species. On spring days, hawks ride thermals starting mid-morning and continuing through early afternoon. Summer is good for resident species with fledglings, offering chances to see younger birds still learning to hunt. Rough-legged Hawks arrive in winter from the Arctic and are easier to spot in open country. Dawn and late afternoon often yield the best hunting activity, especially during fall migration when cooler temperatures make hawks more active.
See ourstate animal guidefor the next step.
How can you identify hawks in Montana?
Start with the Red-tailed Hawk: look for a pale chest, a dark belly band, and the distinctive red tail visible when perched. Swainson's Hawk has a dark hood and chest with rusty shoulders. Ferruginous Hawk shows rusty legs and a pale tail. Northern Harrier has a white rump patch and low, buoyant flight pattern. Rough-legged Hawk shows dark wrist patches and dark tail bands. Use a field guide or browse ourart printsto study their silhouettes and field marks before heading out.
How do hawks compare with eagles and falcons?
Hawks have broader wings and shorter tails than falcons. Eagles are much larger with longer wings and heavier builds. The easiest way to tell: size and wing shape. Red-tailed Hawks have a classic broad wing; Peregrine Falcons have pointed wings and fly fast in direct lines. Bald Eagles are massive and unmistakable. For more comparisons, see ourhawk identification page.
Planning your hawk watching trip
Bring binoculars, a field guide, and water. Consider visiting in spring when birds are most active and the weather is warming. A notebook helps record the hawks you spot and their behaviors. Position yourself where you can watch open skies or the tops of ridges where hawks soar. Use this tool to check recent sightings.
For further reading, ourMontana travel tipscan help plan your route.
Montana hawk behavior and hunting habits?
Hawks in Montana employ different hunting strategies based on species and habitat. Red-tailed Hawks often hunt from elevated perches like fence posts or dead trees, dropping down on small mammals in open fields. Swainson's Hawks hunt on the wing during spring and summer, hovering and diving for grasshoppers and ground squirrels. Northern Harriers use their low, buoyant flight to surprise prey in marshes and grasslands. Ferruginous Hawks use their large size to hunt rabbits and prairie dogs. Understanding these behaviors helps predict where to find each species and what time of day they are most active.
Raptor migration corridors in Montana?
Montana sits along several important raptor migration routes. The Rocky Mountain Front funnels migrating hawks north and south, creating excellent viewing opportunities in spring and fall when thermals are strong. The Missouri River breaks provide both hunting habitat and migration corridors for eastern Montana's populations. Western valleys like the Flathead and Bitterroot also see significant hawk passage during spring and fall. Elevation changes in these areas create the thermals that hawks ride to conserve energy during migration.
Show your hawk pride with gear from Easy Street Markets
After a day of watching, bring the experience home. Our collection includes:
Peregrine Falcon Retro Graphic Tee
A classic design for falcon fans, featuring a retro illustration.Check Price and Availability
5X Hawk Sticker Set (5 pieces): Bird of Prey Car Stickers, Forest, Nature, Falconer, Bird
Decorate your gear with these detailed hawk stickers.Check Price and Availability
Hawk Tarot Card T-Shirt
A unique tarot-inspired design for hawk lovers.Check Price and Availability
Also browse ourhawk art printsfor more options.
Frequently asked questions about hawks in Montana?
Q: Are hawks common in Montana? A: Yes, they are common in appropriate habitats, especially open grasslands and river valleys where small mammals are abundant.
Q: What is the largest hawk in Montana? A: The Ferruginous Hawk is Montana's largest hawk species, reaching up to 25 inches in length with a wingspan over four feet.
Q: Can I see hawks in winter? A: Yes, Rough-legged Hawks migrate from the Arctic and winter throughout Montana, joining year-round residents like Red-tailed Hawks.
Q: Do hawks stay year-round in Montana? A: Red-tailed and Ferruginous Hawks are year-round residents, while Swainson's Hawks and others migrate seasonally through the state.
See ourtour planning ideasfor the next step.
Gear and field guides
Plan your trip
Best time to see hawk in Montana: May, August, June
See the month-by-month sighting calendar.
Plan your hawk sighting in Montana
400,687 verified hawk records have been logged in Montana, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in Montana
- Big Hole National Battlefield · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail · Wildlife Watching · Find hotels
- Nez Perce National Historical Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Yellowstone National Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Bowdoin NWR · 273 species recorded
- Lee Metcalf NWR · 256 species recorded
- Fort Peck Dam (general) · 255 species recorded
- Giant Springs SP · 253 species recorded
- Freezout Lake WMA · 251 species recorded
- Warm Springs WMA · 246 species recorded
Birding hotspots via eBird (Cornell Lab).
Frequently asked questions
What hawk species live in Montana?+
Montana hosts a variety of hawks. The most common is the Red-tailed Hawk, often seen perching on fence posts in open country. Swainson's Hawks arrive in spring and nest throughout eastern Montana, favoring grasslands and prairies. Ferruginous Hawks prefer the dry plains and are Montana's largest hawk species. Northern Harriers (often grouped with hawks) skim low over marshes and wet meadows year-round. Rough-legged Hawks migrate south from the Arctic in winter. Less common visitors include Coopers Hawks in woodland edges and Sharp-shinned Hawks during migration periods. In Montana, hawk sightings usually improve when you slow down and match your first stop to where in the state sightings are most likely. Use thehawk species guideto study field marks before you head out. Each species has distinct habitat preferences, so understanding where to look is half the battle. For a full list, visit ourhawk species guide. Montana hosts a variety of hawks. The most common is the Red-tailed Hawk, often seen perching on fence posts. Swainson's Hawks arrive in spring and nest in the east. Ferruginous Hawks prefer dry plains. Northern Harriers (often grouped with hawks) skim low over marshes. For a full list, visit ourhawk species guide. In Montana, hawks sightings usually improve when you slow down and match your first stop to where in the state sightings are most likely. Use thestate wildlife huband theroute guideto narrow your first area, then check access, weather, and distance before you settle in. A short walk with one clear viewing plan often beats covering too much ground, especially when habitat changes fast from open edges to brush, wetlands, timber, shoreline, or neighborhood cover.
Where can you see hawks in Montana?+
Montana hosts a variety of hawks. The most common is the Red-tailed Hawk, often seen perching on fence posts in open country. Swainson's Hawks arrive in spring and nest throughout eastern Montana, favoring grasslands and prairies. Ferruginous Hawks prefer the dry plains and are Montana's largest hawk species. Northern Harriers (often grouped with hawks) skim low over marshes and wet meadows year-round. Rough-legged Hawks migrate south from the Arctic in winter. Less common visitors include Coopers Hawks in woodland edges and Sharp-shinned Hawks during migration periods. In Montana, hawk sightings usually improve when you slow down and match your first stop to where in the state sightings are most likely. Use thehawk species guideto study field marks before you head out. Each species has distinct habitat preferences, so understanding where to look is half the battle. For a full list, visit ourhawk species guide. Montana hosts a variety of hawks. The most common is the Red-tailed Hawk, often seen perching on fence posts. Swainson's Hawks arrive in spring and nest in the east. Ferruginous Hawks prefer dry plains. Northern Harriers (often grouped with hawks) skim low over marshes. For a full list, visit ourhawk species guide. In Montana, hawks sightings usually improve when you slow down and match your first stop to where in the state sightings are most likely. Use thestate wildlife huband theroute guideto narrow your first area, then check access, weather, and distance before you settle in. A short walk with one clear viewing plan often beats covering too much ground, especially when habitat changes fast from open edges to brush, wetlands, timber, shoreline, or neighborhood cover.
When is the best time to see hawks in Montana?+
Montana hosts a variety of hawks. The most common is the Red-tailed Hawk, often seen perching on fence posts in open country. Swainson's Hawks arrive in spring and nest throughout eastern Montana, favoring grasslands and prairies. Ferruginous Hawks prefer the dry plains and are Montana's largest hawk species. Northern Harriers (often grouped with hawks) skim low over marshes and wet meadows year-round. Rough-legged Hawks migrate south from the Arctic in winter. Less common visitors include Coopers Hawks in woodland edges and Sharp-shinned Hawks during migration periods. In Montana, hawk sightings usually improve when you slow down and match your first stop to where in the state sightings are most likely. Use thehawk species guideto study field marks before you head out. Each species has distinct habitat preferences, so understanding where to look is half the battle. For a full list, visit ourhawk species guide. Montana hosts a variety of hawks. The most common is the Red-tailed Hawk, often seen perching on fence posts. Swainson's Hawks arrive in spring and nest in the east. Ferruginous Hawks prefer dry plains. Northern Harriers (often grouped with hawks) skim low over marshes. For a full list, visit ourhawk species guide. In Montana, hawks sightings usually improve when you slow down and match your first stop to where in the state sightings are most likely. Use thestate wildlife huband theroute guideto narrow your first area, then check access, weather, and distance before you settle in. A short walk with one clear viewing plan often beats covering too much ground, especially when habitat changes fast from open edges to brush, wetlands, timber, shoreline, or neighborhood cover.
Keep exploring
More places to see hawk
More wildlife in Montana