Hawks in New Jersey in December
Yes, December is a good month to see hawks in New Jersey. It is the 6th busiest month of the year, with 1,198 of the 13,280 sightings logged across the year (9%), 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 June 28, 2026.
Good month for hawks in New Jersey
9%
of yearly sightings
1,198
records in December
#6
busiest month of 12
13,280
verified records a year
November 8.9%, December 9%, January 10.1%. Busiest month is October at 13.3%.
13,280 verified observations of hawks in New Jersey, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hawks are recorded in New Jersey
Peak month
October
1,772 records (13.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 1,345 | 10.1% |
| February | 1,278 | 9.6% |
| Marchpeak | 1,423 | 10.7% |
| April | 1,247 | 9.4% |
| May | 980 | 7.4% |
| June | 601 | 4.5% |
| July | 583 | 4.4% |
| August | 693 | 5.2% |
| September | 972 | 7.3% |
| Octoberpeak | 1,772 | 13.3% |
| November | 1,188 | 8.9% |
| December | 1,198 | 9% |
Hawks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Red-tailed Hawk | 4,783 |
| Bald Eagle | 3,149 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 2,246 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 954 |
| Northern Harrier | 767 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 484 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 250 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 78 |
In New Jersey, December carries 9% of the year's hawks sightings, about 0.7 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 6th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity holds steady between November and December, and it heads toward January (10.1%) after. The busiest month is October (13.3%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The hawks most often recorded in New Jersey are Red-tailed Hawk, Bald Eagle and Cooper's Hawk. Those counts are annual totals rather than a December split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in December itself.
Which hawks you are most likely to see
- Red-tailed Hawk4,783 records
- Bald Eagle3,149 records
- Cooper's Hawk2,246 records
- Red-shouldered Hawk954 records
- Northern Harrier767 records
- Sharp-shinned Hawk484 records
Plan your hawk trip in New Jersey
Start with live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
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Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see hawks in New Jersey in December?+
Yes. December accounts for 1,198 of the 13,280 verified hawks sightings logged in New Jersey across the year, which is 9% of the annual total.
Is December a good time to see hawks in New Jersey?+
December is the 6th busiest month. It is workable, though October and March is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for hawks in New Jersey?+
October is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through October, March and January, based on 13,280 verified observations.
Which hawks are you most likely to see in New Jersey?+
The most-recorded species in New Jersey are Red-tailed Hawk, Bald Eagle and Cooper's Hawk, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See hawks in New Jersey in other months
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in New Jersey