Best Time to See Hawks in New Mexico
December, January and April is the best time to see hawks in New Mexico. Based on 10,059 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when hawks are most active across the year in New Mexico.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Cooper's Hawk · Annika Lindqvist CC BY
Red-tailed Hawk · CK2AZ CC BY
Swainson's Hawk · Public domain CC0
10,059 verified observations of hawks in New Mexico, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hawks are recorded in New Mexico
Peak month
December
1,258 records (12.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 1,215 | 12.1% |
| February | 871 | 8.7% |
| March | 708 | 7% |
| Aprilpeak | 1,104 | 11% |
| May | 747 | 7.4% |
| June | 581 | 5.8% |
| July | 701 | 7% |
| August | 713 | 7.1% |
| September | 697 | 6.9% |
| October | 637 | 6.3% |
| November | 827 | 8.2% |
| Decemberpeak | 1,258 | 12.5% |
Hawks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Red-tailed Hawk | 2,941 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 2,480 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 1,184 |
| Northern Harrier | 748 |
| Bald Eagle | 622 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 386 |
| Golden Eagle | 332 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 295 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in New Mexico
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 26 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janbest time | 44°F | 26°F | 0.6" |
| Feb | 47°F | 26°F | 0.8" |
| Mar | 57°F | 34°F | 1" |
| Aprbest time | 68°F | 42°F | 0.4" |
| May | 76°F | 51°F | 0.5" |
| Jun | 84°F | 60°F | 1.1" |
| Jul | 87°F | 65°F | 1" |
| Aug | 84°F | 63°F | 1.2" |
| Sep | 79°F | 57°F | 0.9" |
| Oct | 67°F | 44°F | 0.9" |
| Nov | 56°F | 35°F | 0.7" |
| Decbest time | 47°F | 29°F | 0.6" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for New Mexico. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of hawks in New Mexico peak in December, when 1,258 of the year's 10,059 verified observations are logged — about 12.5% of the annual total. Activity stays high through December, January and April.
The quietest stretch is June, October and September, when hawks are hardest to find — June sees just 581 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 New Mexico are Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper's Hawk and Swainson'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 New Mexico
- Bandelier National Monument — National Monument
- Capulin Volcano National Monument — National Monument
- Carlsbad Caverns National Park — National Park
- El Malpais National Monument — National Monument
- El Morro National Monument — National Monument
- Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument — National Monument
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see hawks in New Mexico?+
December is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through December, January and April, based on 10,059 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are hawks hardest to see in New Mexico?+
June is the quietest month for hawks in New Mexico, with only 581 verified records.
Are hawks active year-round in New Mexico?+
Hawks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in New Mexico, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in December.
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in New Mexico