Hawks in Montana in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see hawks in Montana. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 537 of the 4,313 sightings logged across the year (12.5%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Peak month for hawks in Montana
12.5%
of yearly sightings
537
records in May
#1
busiest month of 12
4,313
verified records a year
April 8.1%, May 12.5%, June 11.8%. Busiest month is May at 12.5%.
4,313 verified observations of hawks in Montana, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hawks are recorded in Montana
Peak month
May
537 records (12.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 328 | 7.6% |
| February | 280 | 6.5% |
| March | 240 | 5.6% |
| April | 348 | 8.1% |
| Maypeak | 537 | 12.5% |
| Junepeak | 508 | 11.8% |
| July | 455 | 10.5% |
| Augustpeak | 511 | 11.8% |
| September | 374 | 8.7% |
| October | 231 | 5.4% |
| November | 184 | 4.3% |
| December | 317 | 7.3% |
Hawks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Bald Eagle | 1,362 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 995 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 349 |
| Golden Eagle | 324 |
| Northern Harrier | 312 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 293 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 214 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 177 |
In Montana, May carries 12.5% of the year's hawks sightings, about 4.2 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (8.1%) into May, and it heads toward June (11.8%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The hawks most often recorded in Montana are Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk and Swainson's Hawk. Those counts are annual totals rather than a May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May itself.
Which hawks you are most likely to see
- Bald Eagle1,362 records
- Red-tailed Hawk995 records
- Swainson's Hawk349 records
- Golden Eagle324 records
- Northern Harrier312 records
- Rough-legged Hawk293 records
Plan your hawk trip in Montana
Start with live tours near Big Hole National Battlefield, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Big Hole National Battlefield
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main hawk viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Big Hole National Battlefield
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best hawk viewing area in Montana.
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Broader backupBook a hawk tour in Montana
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see hawks in Montana in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 537 of the 4,313 verified hawks sightings logged in Montana across the year, which is 12.5% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see hawks in Montana?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of May, August and June.
What month is best for hawks in Montana?+
May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, August and June, based on 4,313 verified observations.
Which hawks are you most likely to see in Montana?+
The most-recorded species in Montana are Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk and Swainson's Hawk, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See hawks in Montana in other months
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in Montana