Eagles in North Dakota in July

Yes, July is a good month to see eagles in North Dakota. It is the 6th busiest month of the year, with 117 of the 1,188 sightings logged across the year (9.8%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

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By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.

Swainson's Hawk photographed in North DakotaCooper's Hawk photographed in North DakotaRough-legged Hawk photographed in North Dakota
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Good month for eagles in North Dakota

9.8%

of yearly sightings

117

records in July

#6

busiest month of 12

1,188

verified records a year

June 12.5%, July 9.8%, August 11.6%. Busiest month is April at 15.5%.

Best months: April, May, June

1,188 verified observations of eagles in North Dakota, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When eagles are recorded in North Dakota

Peak month

April

184 records (15.5% of the year)

Quietest month

February

25 records

MonthObservationsShare
January413.5%
February252.1%
March816.8%
Aprilpeak18415.5%
Maypeak15413%
Junepeak14812.5%
July1179.8%
August13811.6%
September12510.5%
October453.8%
November635.3%
December675.6%

Eagles you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Red-tailed Hawk293
Bald Eagle238
Swainson's Hawk194
Northern Harrier114
Cooper's Hawk83
Golden Eagle66
Rough-legged Hawk66
Sharp-shinned Hawk39

In North Dakota, July carries 9.8% of the year's eagles sightings, about 1.5 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 is easing off from June (12.5%) into July, and it heads toward August (11.6%) after. The busiest month is April (15.5%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.

The eagles most often recorded in North Dakota are Red-tailed Hawk, Bald Eagle and Swainson's Hawk. Those counts are annual totals rather than a July split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in July itself.

Which eagles you are most likely to see

  • Red-tailed Hawk293 records
  • Bald Eagle238 records
  • Swainson's Hawk194 records
  • Northern Harrier114 records
  • Cooper's Hawk83 records
  • Golden Eagle66 records
Plan your tripKnife River Indian Villages National Historic Site

Plan your eagle trip in North Dakota

Start with live tours near Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.

Gear to see them

Frequently asked questions

Can you see eagles in North Dakota in July?+

Yes. July accounts for 117 of the 1,188 verified eagles sightings logged in North Dakota across the year, which is 9.8% of the annual total.

Is July a good time to see eagles in North Dakota?+

July is the 6th busiest month. It is workable, though April and May is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.

What month is best for eagles in North Dakota?+

April is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through April, May and June, based on 1,188 verified observations.

Which eagles are you most likely to see in North Dakota?+

The most-recorded species in North Dakota are Red-tailed Hawk, Bald Eagle and Swainson's Hawk, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.