Best Time to See Hawks in North Dakota
April, May and June is the best time to see hawks in North Dakota. Based on 1,181 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when hawks are most active across the year in North Dakota.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.
Krider's Red-tailed Hawk · Jason Hill CC BY
Red-tailed Hawk · James Todd McCann CC BY
Cooper's Hawk · earl woolsey CC BY
1,181 verified observations of hawks in North Dakota, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hawks are recorded in North Dakota
Peak month
April
184 records (15.6% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 41 | 3.5% |
| February | 25 | 2.1% |
| March | 81 | 6.9% |
| Aprilpeak | 184 | 15.6% |
| Maypeak | 154 | 13% |
| Junepeak | 142 | 12% |
| July | 117 | 9.9% |
| August | 137 | 11.6% |
| September | 125 | 10.6% |
| October | 45 | 3.8% |
| November | 63 | 5.3% |
| December | 67 | 5.7% |
Hawks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Red-tailed Hawk | 289 |
| Bald Eagle | 238 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 193 |
| Northern Harrier | 113 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 82 |
| Golden Eagle | 66 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 66 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 39 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in North Dakota
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 28 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 21°F | 6°F | 0.7" |
| Feb | 18°F | 1°F | 0.7" |
| Mar | 34°F | 17°F | 0.7" |
| Aprbest time | 46°F | 28°F | 2.1" |
| Maybest time | 64°F | 43°F | 2.3" |
| Junbest time | 77°F | 57°F | 2.8" |
| Jul | 80°F | 61°F | 2" |
| Aug | 79°F | 60°F | 2" |
| Sep | 71°F | 52°F | 2.3" |
| Oct | 51°F | 36°F | 2.4" |
| Nov | 37°F | 23°F | 1" |
| Dec | 25°F | 11°F | 1.2" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for North Dakota. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on hawks in North Dakota:
Sightings of hawks in North Dakota peak in April, when 184 of the year's 1,181 verified observations are logged — about 15.6% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and June.
The quietest stretch is February, when hawks are hardest to find — February sees just 25 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 North Dakota are Red-tailed Hawk, Bald Eagle 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 North Dakota
- Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- North Country National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park — National Park
- Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Arrowwood NWR (general)
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see hawks in North Dakota?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and June, based on 1,181 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are hawks hardest to see in North Dakota?+
February is the quietest month for hawks in North Dakota, with only 25 verified records.
Are hawks active year-round in North Dakota?+
Hawks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in North Dakota, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in North Dakota