Best Time to See Hawks in Oregon
December, January and April is the best time to see hawks in Oregon. Based on 27,612 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when hawks are most active across the year in Oregon.
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 · Millie Basden CC BY
Western Red-tailed Hawk · Matthew Cozart CC BY-ND
Bald Eagle · jayjt CC BY
27,612 verified observations of hawks in Oregon, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hawks are recorded in Oregon
Peak month
December
3,218 records (11.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 3,027 | 11% |
| February | 2,665 | 9.7% |
| March | 2,714 | 9.8% |
| Aprilpeak | 2,802 | 10.1% |
| May | 2,393 | 8.7% |
| June | 1,886 | 6.8% |
| July | 1,568 | 5.7% |
| August | 1,561 | 5.7% |
| September | 1,639 | 5.9% |
| October | 1,787 | 6.5% |
| November | 2,352 | 8.5% |
| Decemberpeak | 3,218 | 11.7% |
Hawks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Red-tailed Hawk | 9,593 |
| Bald Eagle | 7,739 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 2,542 |
| Northern Harrier | 2,240 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 1,121 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 1,037 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 789 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 769 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Oregon
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 25 to 52 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janbest time | 39°F | 26°F | 2" |
| Feb | 38°F | 22°F | 2.4" |
| Mar | 43°F | 25°F | 1.9" |
| Aprbest time | 52°F | 32°F | 2.2" |
| May | 61°F | 40°F | 2" |
| Jun | 71°F | 48°F | 1.1" |
| Jul | 83°F | 56°F | 0.1" |
| Aug | 81°F | 56°F | 0.4" |
| Sep | 71°F | 47°F | 1.2" |
| Oct | 58°F | 37°F | 1.2" |
| Nov | 45°F | 28°F | 2.3" |
| Decbest time | 37°F | 25°F | 2.4" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Oregon. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on hawks in Oregon:
Sightings of hawks in Oregon peak in December, when 3,218 of the year's 27,612 verified observations are logged — about 11.7% of the annual total. Activity stays high through December, January and April.
The quietest stretch is August, July and September, when hawks are hardest to find — August sees just 1,561 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 Oregon are Red-tailed Hawk, Bald Eagle and Cooper'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 Oregon
- Crater Lake National Park — National Park
- Fort Vancouver National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Lewis and Clark National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Nez Perce National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Oregon Caves National Monument & Preserve — National Monument & Preserve
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see hawks in Oregon?+
December is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through December, January and April, based on 27,612 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are hawks hardest to see in Oregon?+
August is the quietest month for hawks in Oregon, with only 1,561 verified records.
Are hawks active year-round in Oregon?+
Hawks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Oregon, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in December.
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in Oregon