Best Time to See Hawks in Nevada
January, December and February is the best time to see hawks in Nevada. Based on 5,889 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when hawks are most active across the year in Nevada.
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 · CK2AZ CC BY
Cooper's Hawk · Katrina Smith CC BY
Golden Eagle · Jan Ebr & Ivana Ebrová CC BY
5,889 verified observations of hawks in Nevada, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hawks are recorded in Nevada
Peak month
January
703 records (11.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 703 | 11.9% |
| Februarypeak | 627 | 10.6% |
| March | 559 | 9.5% |
| April | 486 | 8.3% |
| May | 364 | 6.2% |
| June | 448 | 7.6% |
| July | 389 | 6.6% |
| August | 336 | 5.7% |
| September | 372 | 6.3% |
| October | 472 | 8% |
| November | 492 | 8.4% |
| Decemberpeak | 641 | 10.9% |
Hawks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Red-tailed Hawk | 2,024 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 1,641 |
| Northern Harrier | 687 |
| Golden Eagle | 327 |
| Bald Eagle | 264 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 239 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 228 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 152 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Nevada
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 16 to 33 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janbest time | 31°F | 16°F | 1.2" |
| Febbest time | 32°F | 16°F | 0.9" |
| Mar | 37°F | 21°F | 1.6" |
| Apr | 51°F | 31°F | 0.6" |
| May | 60°F | 39°F | 1.1" |
| Jun | 72°F | 50°F | 0.3" |
| Jul | 82°F | 59°F | 0.3" |
| Aug | 79°F | 57°F | 1.2" |
| Sep | 71°F | 50°F | 0.6" |
| Oct | 57°F | 36°F | 0.2" |
| Nov | 44°F | 26°F | 0.8" |
| Decbest time | 33°F | 18°F | 1.2" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Nevada. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on hawks in Nevada:
Sightings of hawks in Nevada peak in January, when 703 of the year's 5,889 verified observations are logged — about 11.9% of the annual total. Activity stays high through January, December and February.
The quietest stretch is August, May and September, when hawks are hardest to find — August sees just 336 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 Nevada are Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper's Hawk and Northern Harrier — 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 Nevada
- Death Valley National Park — National Park
- Great Basin National Park — National Park
- Lake Mead National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
- Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument — National Monument
- California National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Old Spanish National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see hawks in Nevada?+
January is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through January, December and February, based on 5,889 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are hawks hardest to see in Nevada?+
August is the quietest month for hawks in Nevada, with only 336 verified records.
Are hawks active year-round in Nevada?+
Hawks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Nevada, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in January.
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in Nevada