Best Time to See Hawks in Oklahoma
April, May and January is the best time to see hawks in Oklahoma. Based on 7,341 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when hawks are most active across the year in Oklahoma.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Red-tailed Hawk · Jay Pruett CC BY
Cooper's Hawk · Rosario Douglas CC BY
Red-shouldered Hawk · Jay Pruett CC BY
7,341 verified observations of hawks in Oklahoma, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hawks are recorded in Oklahoma
Peak month
April
854 records (11.6% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 794 | 10.8% |
| February | 654 | 8.9% |
| March | 547 | 7.5% |
| Aprilpeak | 854 | 11.6% |
| Maypeak | 825 | 11.2% |
| June | 517 | 7% |
| July | 509 | 6.9% |
| August | 540 | 7.4% |
| September | 331 | 4.5% |
| October | 417 | 5.7% |
| November | 628 | 8.6% |
| December | 725 | 9.9% |
Hawks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Red-tailed Hawk | 1,780 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 1,434 |
| Mississippi Kite | 1,276 |
| Bald Eagle | 1,030 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 505 |
| Northern Harrier | 339 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 293 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 149 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Oklahoma
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 30 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janbest time | 51°F | 30°F | 1.3" |
| Feb | 51°F | 29°F | 1.4" |
| Mar | 63°F | 41°F | 2.1" |
| Aprbest time | 72°F | 50°F | 2.6" |
| Maybest time | 80°F | 60°F | 5" |
| Jun | 89°F | 69°F | 2.9" |
| Jul | 95°F | 74°F | 1.4" |
| Aug | 94°F | 74°F | 1.5" |
| Sep | 88°F | 68°F | 1.8" |
| Oct | 73°F | 52°F | 2.5" |
| Nov | 61°F | 41°F | 1.3" |
| Dec | 55°F | 35°F | 1.7" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Oklahoma. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on hawks in Oklahoma:
Sightings of hawks in Oklahoma peak in April, when 854 of the year's 7,341 verified observations are logged — about 11.6% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and January.
The quietest stretch is September and October, when hawks are hardest to find — September sees just 331 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 Oklahoma are Red-tailed Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk and Mississippi Kite — 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 Oklahoma
- Chickasaw National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
- Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Fort Smith National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Oklahoma City National Memorial — National Memorial
- Santa Fe National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Trail Of Tears National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see hawks in Oklahoma?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and January, based on 7,341 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are hawks hardest to see in Oklahoma?+
September is the quietest month for hawks in Oklahoma, with only 331 verified records.
Are hawks active year-round in Oklahoma?+
Hawks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Oklahoma, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in Oklahoma