Eagles in North Dakota in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see eagles in North Dakota. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 154 of the 1,188 sightings logged across the year (13%), 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 July 2, 2026.
Peak month for eagles in North Dakota
13%
of yearly sightings
154
records in May
#2
busiest month of 12
1,188
verified records a year
April 15.5%, May 13%, June 12.5%. Busiest month is April at 15.5%.
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)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 41 | 3.5% |
| February | 25 | 2.1% |
| March | 81 | 6.8% |
| Aprilpeak | 184 | 15.5% |
| Maypeak | 154 | 13% |
| Junepeak | 148 | 12.5% |
| July | 117 | 9.8% |
| August | 138 | 11.6% |
| September | 125 | 10.5% |
| October | 45 | 3.8% |
| November | 63 | 5.3% |
| December | 67 | 5.6% |
Eagles you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Red-tailed Hawk | 293 |
| Bald Eagle | 238 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 194 |
| Northern Harrier | 114 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 83 |
| Golden Eagle | 66 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 66 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 39 |
In North Dakota, May carries 13% of the year's eagles sightings, about 4.7 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from April (15.5%) into May, and it heads toward June (12.5%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
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 May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May 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 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.
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Live tours nearbySee live tours near Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main eagle viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best eagle viewing area in North Dakota.
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Broader backupBook a eagle tour in North Dakota
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see eagles in North Dakota in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 154 of the 1,188 verified eagles sightings logged in North Dakota across the year, which is 13% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see eagles in North Dakota?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of April, May and June.
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.
See eagles in North Dakota in other months
More wildlife in North Dakota