Eagles in Pennsylvania in December

Yes, December is a good month to see eagles in Pennsylvania. It is the 6th busiest month of the year, with 2,335 of the 25,856 sightings logged across the year (9%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

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By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.

Sharp-shinned Hawk photographed in PennsylvaniaRed-tailed Hawk photographed in PennsylvaniaNorthern Harrier photographed in Pennsylvania
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Good month for eagles in Pennsylvania

9%

of yearly sightings

2,335

records in December

#6

busiest month of 12

25,856

verified records a year

November 9.9%, December 9%, January 9.2%. Busiest month is March at 10.3%.

Best months: March, April, November

25,856 verified observations of eagles in Pennsylvania, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When eagles are recorded in Pennsylvania

Peak month

March

2,655 records (10.3% of the year)

Quietest month

July

1,377 records

MonthObservationsShare
January2,3789.2%
February2,4449.5%
Marchpeak2,65510.3%
Aprilpeak2,65310.3%
May2,0367.9%
June1,5155.9%
July1,3775.3%
August1,6486.4%
September1,9177.4%
October2,3299%
Novemberpeak2,5699.9%
December2,3359%

Eagles you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Red-tailed Hawk10,012
Bald Eagle6,133
Cooper's Hawk3,729
Red-shouldered Hawk2,221
Broad-winged Hawk819
Golden Eagle792
Sharp-shinned Hawk685
Northern Harrier566

In Pennsylvania, December carries 9% of the year's eagles sightings, about 0.7 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 holds steady between November and December, and it heads toward January (9.2%) after. The busiest month is March (10.3%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.

The eagles most often recorded in Pennsylvania are Red-tailed Hawk, Bald Eagle and Cooper's Hawk. Those counts are annual totals rather than a December split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in December itself.

Which eagles you are most likely to see

  • Red-tailed Hawk10,012 records
  • Bald Eagle6,133 records
  • Cooper's Hawk3,729 records
  • Red-shouldered Hawk2,221 records
  • Broad-winged Hawk819 records
  • Golden Eagle792 records
Plan your tripAppalachian National Scenic Trail

Plan your eagle trip in Pennsylvania

Start with live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.

Gear to see them

Frequently asked questions

Can you see eagles in Pennsylvania in December?+

Yes. December accounts for 2,335 of the 25,856 verified eagles sightings logged in Pennsylvania across the year, which is 9% of the annual total.

Is December a good time to see eagles in Pennsylvania?+

December is the 6th busiest month. It is workable, though March and April is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.

What month is best for eagles in Pennsylvania?+

March is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through March, April and November, based on 25,856 verified observations.

Which eagles are you most likely to see in Pennsylvania?+

The most-recorded species in Pennsylvania are Red-tailed Hawk, Bald Eagle and Cooper's Hawk, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.