Hawks in Nebraska in January

Yes, January is a good month to see hawks in Nebraska. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 293 of the 3,154 sightings logged across the year (9.3%), 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 July 2, 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.

Good month for hawks in Nebraska

9.3%

of yearly sightings

293

records in January

#5

busiest month of 12

3,154

verified records a year

December 7.8%, January 9.3%, February 9.6%. Busiest month is May at 12.6%.

Best months: May, April, March

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)

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%

Hawks 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, January carries 9.3% of the year's hawks sightings, about 1 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 5th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity is rising from December (7.8%) into January, and it heads toward February (9.6%) after. The busiest month is May (12.6%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.

The hawks most often recorded in Nebraska are Red-tailed Hawk, Bald Eagle and Cooper's Hawk. Those counts are annual totals rather than a January split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in January itself.

Which hawks 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 hawk 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 hawks in Nebraska in January?+

Yes. January accounts for 293 of the 3,154 verified hawks sightings logged in Nebraska across the year, which is 9.3% of the annual total.

Is January a good time to see hawks in Nebraska?+

January is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though May and April is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.

What month is best for hawks 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 hawks 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.