Eagles in Nebraska in May

Yes, May is one of the best months to see eagles in Nebraska. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 396 of the 3,154 sightings logged across the year (12.6%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

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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 photographed in NebraskaRed-tailed Hawk photographed in NebraskaRed-tailed Hawk photographed in Nebraska
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Peak month for eagles in Nebraska

12.6%

of yearly sightings

396

records in May

#1

busiest month of 12

3,154

verified records a year

April 11.4%, May 12.6%, June 8%. Busiest month is May at 12.6%.

Best months: May, April, March

3,154 verified observations of eagles in Nebraska, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When eagles are recorded in Nebraska

Peak month

May

396 records (12.6% of the year)

Quietest month

August

173 records

MonthObservationsShare
January2939.3%
February3049.6%
Marchpeak31710.1%
Aprilpeak36111.4%
Maypeak39612.6%
June2518%
July2026.4%
August1735.5%
September2036.4%
October2056.5%
November2026.4%
December2477.8%

Eagles you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Red-tailed Hawk1,028
Bald Eagle807
Cooper's Hawk458
Swainson's Hawk205
Northern Harrier123
Sharp-shinned Hawk97
Rough-legged Hawk76
Broad-winged Hawk73

In Nebraska, May carries 12.6% of the year's eagles sightings, about 4.3 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 (11.4%) into May, and it heads toward June (8%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.

The eagles most often recorded in Nebraska are Red-tailed Hawk, Bald Eagle and Cooper'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 eagles you are most likely to see

  • Red-tailed Hawk1,028 records
  • Bald Eagle807 records
  • Cooper's Hawk458 records
  • Swainson's Hawk205 records
  • Northern Harrier123 records
  • Sharp-shinned Hawk97 records
Plan your tripAgate Fossil Beds National Monument

Plan your eagle trip in Nebraska

Start with live tours near Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.

Gear to see them

Frequently asked questions

Can you see eagles in Nebraska in May?+

Yes. May accounts for 396 of the 3,154 verified eagles sightings logged in Nebraska across the year, which is 12.6% of the annual total.

Is May a good time to see eagles in Nebraska?+

May is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of May, April and March.

What month is best for eagles in Nebraska?+

May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, April and March, based on 3,154 verified observations.

Which eagles are you most likely to see in Nebraska?+

The most-recorded species in Nebraska are Red-tailed Hawk, Bald Eagle and Cooper's Hawk, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.