Hawks in Nebraska in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see hawks 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.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.
Peak month for hawks 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%.
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 |
In Nebraska, May carries 12.6% of the year's hawks 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 hawks 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 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 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.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Agate Fossil Beds National Monument
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main hawk viewing area.
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Broader backupBook a hawk tour in Nebraska
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 Nebraska in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 396 of the 3,154 verified hawks sightings logged in Nebraska across the year, which is 12.6% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see hawks 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 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.
See hawks in Nebraska in other months
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in Nebraska