Best Time to See Hawks in Nebraska
May, April and March is the best time to see hawks in Nebraska. Based on 3,154 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when hawks are most active across the year in Nebraska.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.
Cooper's Hawk · Colin Croft CC BY
Red-tailed Hawk · Colin Croft CC BY
American Goshawk · Colin Croft CC BY
3,154 verified observations of hawks in Nebraska, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hawks are recorded in Nebraska
Peak month
May
396 records (12.6% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 293 | 9.3% |
| February | 304 | 9.6% |
| Marchpeak | 317 | 10.1% |
| Aprilpeak | 361 | 11.4% |
| Maypeak | 396 | 12.6% |
| June | 251 | 8% |
| July | 202 | 6.4% |
| August | 173 | 5.5% |
| September | 203 | 6.4% |
| October | 205 | 6.5% |
| November | 202 | 6.4% |
| December | 247 | 7.8% |
Hawks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Red-tailed Hawk | 1,028 |
| Bald Eagle | 807 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 458 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 205 |
| Northern Harrier | 123 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 97 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 76 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 73 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Nebraska
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 27 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 36°F | 19°F | 1" |
| Feb | 34°F | 14°F | 0.7" |
| Marbest time | 47°F | 27°F | 2.4" |
| Aprbest time | 59°F | 36°F | 1.5" |
| Maybest time | 68°F | 48°F | 4.2" |
| Jun | 83°F | 61°F | 2.6" |
| Jul | 86°F | 66°F | 2.3" |
| Aug | 85°F | 65°F | 1.8" |
| Sep | 79°F | 58°F | 1.5" |
| Oct | 61°F | 40°F | 1.3" |
| Nov | 51°F | 31°F | 0.9" |
| Dec | 40°F | 23°F | 1.4" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Nebraska. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on hawks in Nebraska:
Sightings of hawks in Nebraska peak in May, when 396 of the year's 3,154 verified observations are logged — about 12.6% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, April and March.
The quietest stretch is August, July and November, when hawks are hardest to find — August sees just 173 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 Nebraska are Red-tailed Hawk, Bald Eagle and Cooper'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 hawks in Nebraska
- Agate Fossil Beds National Monument — National Monument
- Homestead National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Missouri National Recreational River — National Recreational River
- Niobrara National Scenic River — National Scenic River
- California National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see hawks in Nebraska?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, April and March, based on 3,154 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are hawks hardest to see in Nebraska?+
August is the quietest month for hawks in Nebraska, with only 173 verified records.
Are hawks active year-round in Nebraska?+
Hawks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Nebraska, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in Nebraska