Eagles in South Dakota in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see eagles in South Dakota. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 199 of the 2,022 sightings logged across the year (9.8%), 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.
Peak month for eagles in South Dakota
9.8%
of yearly sightings
199
records in May
#2
busiest month of 12
2,022
verified records a year
April 13.1%, May 9.8%, June 6%. Busiest month is April at 13.1%.
2,022 verified observations of eagles in South Dakota, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When eagles are recorded in South Dakota
Peak month
April
264 records (13.1% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 187 | 9.2% |
| February | 136 | 6.7% |
| Marchpeak | 195 | 9.6% |
| Aprilpeak | 264 | 13.1% |
| Maypeak | 199 | 9.8% |
| June | 122 | 6% |
| July | 127 | 6.3% |
| August | 189 | 9.3% |
| September | 172 | 8.5% |
| October | 130 | 6.4% |
| November | 142 | 7% |
| December | 159 | 7.9% |
Eagles you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Bald Eagle | 601 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 526 |
| Northern Harrier | 169 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 149 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 126 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 115 |
| Golden Eagle | 111 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 73 |
In South Dakota, May carries 9.8% of the year's eagles sightings, about 1.5 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 is easing off from April (13.1%) into May, and it heads toward June (6%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The eagles most often recorded in South Dakota are Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk and Northern Harrier. 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 eagles you are most likely to see
- Bald Eagle601 records
- Red-tailed Hawk526 records
- Northern Harrier169 records
- Rough-legged Hawk149 records
- Swainson's Hawk126 records
- Cooper's Hawk115 records
Plan your eagle trip in South Dakota
Start with live tours near Badlands National Park, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Badlands National Park
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main eagle viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Badlands National Park
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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 eagles in South Dakota in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 199 of the 2,022 verified eagles sightings logged in South Dakota across the year, which is 9.8% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see eagles in South Dakota?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of April, May and March.
What month is best for eagles in South Dakota?+
April is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through April, May and March, based on 2,022 verified observations.
Which eagles are you most likely to see in South Dakota?+
The most-recorded species in South Dakota are Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk and Northern Harrier, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See eagles in South Dakota in other months
More wildlife in South Dakota