Hawks in Oklahoma in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see hawks in Oklahoma. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 825 of the 7,341 sightings logged across the year (11.2%), 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 June 28, 2026.
Peak month for hawks in Oklahoma
11.2%
of yearly sightings
825
records in May
#2
busiest month of 12
7,341
verified records a year
April 11.6%, May 11.2%, June 7%. Busiest month is April at 11.6%.
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 |
In Oklahoma, May carries 11.2% of the year's hawks sightings, about 2.9 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 holds steady between April and May, and it heads toward June (7%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The hawks most often recorded in Oklahoma are Red-tailed Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk and Mississippi Kite. 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 hawks you are most likely to see
- Red-tailed Hawk1,780 records
- Red-shouldered Hawk1,434 records
- Mississippi Kite1,276 records
- Bald Eagle1,030 records
- Cooper's Hawk505 records
- Northern Harrier339 records
Plan your hawk trip in Oklahoma
Start with live tours near Chickasaw National Recreation Area, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Chickasaw National Recreation Area
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 Chickasaw National Recreation Area
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best hawk viewing area in Oklahoma.
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Broader backupBook a hawk tour in Oklahoma
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 Oklahoma in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 825 of the 7,341 verified hawks sightings logged in Oklahoma across the year, which is 11.2% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see hawks in Oklahoma?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of April, May and January.
What month is best for hawks in Oklahoma?+
April is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through April, May and January, based on 7,341 verified observations.
Which hawks are you most likely to see in Oklahoma?+
The most-recorded species in Oklahoma are Red-tailed Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk and Mississippi Kite, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See hawks in Oklahoma in other months
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in Oklahoma