Hawks in North Dakota in July
Yes, July is a good month to see hawks in North Dakota. It is the 6th busiest month of the year, with 117 of the 1,181 sightings logged across the year (9.9%), 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.
Good month for hawks in North Dakota
9.9%
of yearly sightings
117
records in July
#6
busiest month of 12
1,181
verified records a year
June 12%, July 9.9%, August 11.6%. 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, July carries 9.9% of the year's hawks sightings, about 1.6 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%) into July, and it heads toward August (11.6%) after. The busiest month is April (15.6%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
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 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 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
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best hawk viewing area in North Dakota.
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Broader backupBook a hawk 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 hawks in North Dakota in July?+
Yes. July accounts for 117 of the 1,181 verified hawks sightings logged in North Dakota across the year, which is 9.9% of the annual total.
Is July a good time to see hawks 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 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