Best Time to See Eagles in New York
January, March and February is the best time to see eagles in New York. Based on 27,209 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when eagles are most active across the year in New York.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.
27,209 verified observations of eagles in New York, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When eagles are recorded in New York
Peak month
January
3,038 records (11.2% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 3,038 | 11.2% |
| Februarypeak | 2,851 | 10.5% |
| Marchpeak | 2,970 | 10.9% |
| April | 2,850 | 10.5% |
| May | 1,804 | 6.6% |
| June | 1,309 | 4.8% |
| July | 1,496 | 5.5% |
| August | 1,735 | 6.4% |
| September | 1,967 | 7.2% |
| October | 2,266 | 8.3% |
| November | 2,419 | 8.9% |
| December | 2,504 | 9.2% |
Eagles you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Red-tailed Hawk | 12,928 |
| Bald Eagle | 5,321 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 4,200 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 1,121 |
| Northern Harrier | 1,013 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 799 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 625 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 324 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in New York
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when eagles are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for eagles sit around 15 to 41 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janbest time | 29°F | 15°F | 3.7" |
| Febbest time | 32°F | 16°F | 3.6" |
| Marbest time | 41°F | 23°F | 3.8" |
| Apr | 52°F | 34°F | 4.9" |
| May | 63°F | 45°F | 3.9" |
| Jun | 72°F | 55°F | 3.8" |
| Jul | 77°F | 61°F | 5.3" |
| Aug | 75°F | 60°F | 5.3" |
| Sep | 68°F | 53°F | 3.4" |
| Oct | 58°F | 44°F | 5.1" |
| Nov | 43°F | 30°F | 3.3" |
| Dec | 36°F | 24°F | 4.7" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for New York. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on eagles in New York:
Sightings of eagles in New York peak in January, when 3,038 of the year's 27,209 verified observations are logged — about 11.2% of the annual total. Activity stays high through January, March and February.
The quietest stretch is June, July and August, when eagles are hardest to find — June sees just 1,309 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The eagles you are most likely to encounter in New York are Red-tailed Hawk, Bald Eagle and Cooper'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 eagles in New York
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Chesapeake Bay
- Fire Island National Seashore — National Seashore
- Martin Van Buren National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- National Parks of New York Harbor
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see eagles in New York?+
January is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through January, March and February, based on 27,209 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are eagles hardest to see in New York?+
June is the quietest month for eagles in New York, with only 1,309 verified records.
Are eagles active year-round in New York?+
Eagles are recorded in 12 of 12 months in New York, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in January.
More places to see eagles
More wildlife in New York