Hawks in North Carolina in January
Yes, January is one of the best months to see hawks in North Carolina. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 2,021 of the 17,753 sightings logged across the year (11.4%), 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.
Peak month for hawks in North Carolina
11.4%
of yearly sightings
2,021
records in January
#1
busiest month of 12
17,753
verified records a year
December 9.1%, January 11.4%, February 11.2%. Busiest month is January at 11.4%.
17,753 verified observations of hawks in North Carolina, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hawks are recorded in North Carolina
Peak month
January
2,021 records (11.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 2,021 | 11.4% |
| Februarypeak | 1,990 | 11.2% |
| Marchpeak | 1,727 | 9.7% |
| April | 1,655 | 9.3% |
| May | 1,568 | 8.8% |
| June | 1,395 | 7.9% |
| July | 1,036 | 5.8% |
| August | 1,168 | 6.6% |
| September | 1,052 | 5.9% |
| October | 1,230 | 6.9% |
| November | 1,291 | 7.3% |
| December | 1,620 | 9.1% |
Hawks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 8,166 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 3,572 |
| Bald Eagle | 2,344 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 1,641 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 429 |
| Northern Harrier | 384 |
| Mississippi Kite | 297 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 189 |
In North Carolina, January carries 11.4% of the year's hawks sightings, about 3.1 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 December (9.1%) into January, and it heads toward February (11.2%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so January is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The hawks most often recorded in North Carolina are Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk and Bald Eagle. Those counts are annual totals rather than a January split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in January itself.
Which hawks you are most likely to see
- Red-shouldered Hawk8,166 records
- Red-tailed Hawk3,572 records
- Bald Eagle2,344 records
- Cooper's Hawk1,641 records
- Broad-winged Hawk429 records
- Northern Harrier384 records
Plan your hawk trip in North Carolina
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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Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main hawk viewing area.
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Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see hawks in North Carolina in January?+
Yes. January accounts for 2,021 of the 17,753 verified hawks sightings logged in North Carolina across the year, which is 11.4% of the annual total.
Is January a good time to see hawks in North Carolina?+
January is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of January, February and March.
What month is best for hawks in North Carolina?+
January is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through January, February and March, based on 17,753 verified observations.
Which hawks are you most likely to see in North Carolina?+
The most-recorded species in North Carolina are Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk and Bald Eagle, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See hawks in North Carolina in other months
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in North Carolina