Hawks in North Dakota in April
Yes, April is one of the best months to see hawks in North Dakota. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 184 of the 1,181 sightings logged across the year (15.6%), 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 hawks in North Dakota
15.6%
of yearly sightings
184
records in April
#1
busiest month of 12
1,181
verified records a year
March 6.9%, April 15.6%, May 13%. Busiest month is April at 15.6%.
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 |
In North Dakota, April carries 15.6% of the year's hawks sightings, about 7.3 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 March (6.9%) into April, and it heads toward May (13%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so April is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The hawks most often recorded in North Dakota are Red-tailed Hawk, Bald Eagle and Swainson's Hawk. Those counts are annual totals rather than a April split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in April itself.
Which hawks you are most likely to see
- Red-tailed Hawk289 records
- Bald Eagle238 records
- Swainson's Hawk193 records
- Northern Harrier113 records
- Cooper's Hawk82 records
- Golden Eagle66 records
Plan your hawk 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 hawk viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site
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Broader backupBook a hawk tour in North Dakota
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Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see hawks in North Dakota in April?+
Yes. April accounts for 184 of the 1,181 verified hawks sightings logged in North Dakota across the year, which is 15.6% of the annual total.
Is April a good time to see hawks in North Dakota?+
April is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of April, May and June.
What month is best for hawks in North Dakota?+
April is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through April, May and June, based on 1,181 verified observations.
Which hawks 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 hawks in North Dakota in other months
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in North Dakota