Hawks in South Dakota: where to see them and how to identify them
Yes, hawks are common across South Dakota. Your best odds are in the open grasslands and badlands of the western part of the state, especially during spring and fall migration. Start with the Black Hills or the Missouri River breaks for the most variety.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Ferruginous Hawk · Anne C Lewis CC BY
Red-tailed Hawk · Matt Muir CC BY
Bald Eagle · Curtis Meyers CC BY-SA
- 8
- species recorded
- 81,926
- GBIF records
- 6
- birding hotspots
- April, May, March
- peak months
Yes, hawks are in South Dakota. Next you'll want:
What hawk sound like
Verified field recordings from Xeno-canto. Press play to hear the calls birders listen for in the field.
Swallow-tailed Kite · flight call
0:05River Lakes Conservation Area near Viera, Brevard Co, Florida · © Paul Marvin CC BY-NC-SA · XC169364
Northern Harrier · call
0:05Whitewater Draw WA, near McNeal, Cochise Co, Arizona · © Paul Marvin CC BY-NC-SA · XC164241
Cooper's Hawk · alarm call
0:06Cape Coral Public Library · © Dany Sloan CC BY-NC-SA · XC859371
Verified species, source iNaturalist
10 types of hawks recorded in South Dakota
10 hawk species have a verified observation record in South Dakota across the hawk family (Accipitridae), which also includes eagles, kites and harriers, each with at least 10 confirmed sightings. The full list, ranked by how often each is recorded, is below.
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10
Plus 3 more recorded only rarely (fewer than 10 verified sightings). Counts from verified iNaturalist observations. Photos by iNaturalist observers, reused under the licence each observer chose.
Real sighting data, source iNaturalist
2,022 verified observations on iNaturalist of hawk have been recorded in South Dakota, most often in April, May, March.
When hawk are recorded in South Dakota
Yes, hawks are common across South Dakota. Your best odds are in the open grasslands and badlands of the western part of the state, especially during spring and fall migration. Start with the Black Hills or the Missouri River breaks for the most variety.
1. Where in South Dakota are you most likely to see hawks?
Your best bet is the western half of the state. The open prairie around the Badlands and the wooded draws of the Black Hills hold good numbers of Red-tailed, Swainson's, and Ferruginous Hawks. Along the Missouri River, look for raptors perched on fence posts and power poles. In winter, check the edges of farm fields near the Missouri where Rough-legged Hawks often hunt.
In South Dakota, hawks sightings usually improve when you slow down and match your first stop to where in the state sightings are most likely. Use thestate wildlife huband theroute guideto narrow your first area, then check access, weather, and distance before you settle in. A short walk with one clear viewing plan often beats covering too much ground, especially when habitat changes fast from open edges to brush, wetlands, timber, shoreline, or neighborhood cover.
2. What is the best season or time of day for hawk watching?
Spring (April to early May) and fall (September to October) bring the highest numbers as migrants pass through. Mid-morning after the ground warms up is ideal because hawks start thermalling. Winter is good for Rough-legged Hawks and occasional Ferruginous. In summer, early morning and late afternoon are best when hawks are actively hunting.
3. How do you identify hawks in South Dakota compared to similar species?
Start with size and tail pattern. Red-tailed Hawks have a classic dark belly band and a rusty red tail (adults). Swainson's Hawks are longer-winged with a dark chest and pale belly, and they often soar with wings in a slight dihedral. Ferruginous Hawks are the largest, with a white underside and dark legs forming a "V" shape when seen from below. Compare with Turkey Vultures: they hold their wings in a pronounced V and rock side to side. For more on hawk ID, check out ourgeneral hawk identification page.
See ourstate animal guidefor the next step.
4. What are the most common hawk species in South Dakota?
Red-tailed Hawk is the most common year-round. Swainson's Hawk is abundant in summer, especially west of the Missouri. Rough-legged Hawk visits in winter. Ferruginous Hawk is less common but regularly seen in the dry prairies of the west. Cooper's Hawk and Sharp-shinned Hawk occur in wooded areas, but they're smaller and trickier to ID.
5. What tips can improve your hawk spotting success?
Scan fence lines and utility poles along rural roads. Bring binoculars with at least 8x magnification. Learn to recognize the silhouette of a soaring hawk versus a vulture. Use the wind: hawks often hunt facing into the wind. In the Black Hills, look for nests on cliff faces. For a full overview of South Dakota's birding hotspots, visit ourSouth Dakota wildlife hub.
6. Bring your hawk sightings home with hawk-themed gear
After a day in the field, keep the hawk vibe going with some practical gear. These items make great conversation starters and help support your birding habit.
Peregrine Falcon Retro Graphic Tee
A retro graphic tee featuring a peregrine falcon. Comfortable cotton, great for layering on cool mornings.Check Price and Availability
5X Hawk Sticker Set (5 pieces): Bird of Prey Car Stickers, Forest, Nature, Falconer, Bird
Five durable vinyl stickers showing different hawk species. Perfect for your water bottle, laptop, or field notebook.Check Price and Availability
Hawk Tarot Card T-Shirt
A unique tarot inspired hawk design. Quality print that holds up to washes.Check Price and Availability
For more bird wall art and decor, browse ourcollection of bird art prints.
7. Frequently asked questions about hawks in South Dakota
**Can you see eagles in the same areas?** Yes, bald eagles often share the same habitat, especially near large rivers. Learn more on ourbald eagles page.
**Are there any hawk watching festivals in South Dakota?** Not specifically, but the Black Hills Birding Festival in late May covers raptors well.
**What is the best road for hawk watching?** Highway 44 west of Rapid City and the Sage Creek Road in Badlands National Park consistently produce good views.
**Do hawk populations vary by year?** Yes. Rough-legged Hawk numbers spike during irruption years when their arctic prey declines.
See ourtour planning ideasfor the next step.
Gear and field guides
Plan your trip
Best time to see hawk in South Dakota: April, May, March
See the month-by-month sighting calendar.
Plan your hawk sighting in South Dakota
81,926 verified hawk records have been logged in South Dakota, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in South Dakota
- Badlands National Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Jewel Cave National Monument · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail · Wildlife Watching · Find hotels
- Missouri National Recreational River · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Wind Cave National Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Minuteman Missile National Historic Site · Find hotels
- Farm Island · 286 species recorded
- Oahe Downstream Rec. Area · 278 species recorded
- Gavin's Point Dam · 274 species recorded
- Sand Lake NWR (use more specific location if possible) · 261 species recorded
- Lacreek NWR · 240 species recorded
- Lake Andes NWR · 240 species recorded
Birding hotspots via eBird (Cornell Lab).
Frequently asked questions
What hawk species live in South Dakota?+
Your best bet is the western half of the state. The open prairie around the Badlands and the wooded draws of the Black Hills hold good numbers of Red-tailed, Swainson's, and Ferruginous Hawks. Along the Missouri River, look for raptors perched on fence posts and power poles. In winter, check the edges of farm fields near the Missouri where Rough-legged Hawks often hunt. In South Dakota, hawks sightings usually improve when you slow down and match your first stop to where in the state sightings are most likely. Use thestate wildlife huband theroute guideto narrow your first area, then check access, weather, and distance before you settle in. A short walk with one clear viewing plan often beats covering too much ground, especially when habitat changes fast from open edges to brush, wetlands, timber, shoreline, or neighborhood cover.
Where can you see hawks in South Dakota?+
Your best bet is the western half of the state. The open prairie around the Badlands and the wooded draws of the Black Hills hold good numbers of Red-tailed, Swainson's, and Ferruginous Hawks. Along the Missouri River, look for raptors perched on fence posts and power poles. In winter, check the edges of farm fields near the Missouri where Rough-legged Hawks often hunt. In South Dakota, hawks sightings usually improve when you slow down and match your first stop to where in the state sightings are most likely. Use thestate wildlife huband theroute guideto narrow your first area, then check access, weather, and distance before you settle in. A short walk with one clear viewing plan often beats covering too much ground, especially when habitat changes fast from open edges to brush, wetlands, timber, shoreline, or neighborhood cover.
When is the best time to see hawks in South Dakota?+
Your best bet is the western half of the state. The open prairie around the Badlands and the wooded draws of the Black Hills hold good numbers of Red-tailed, Swainson's, and Ferruginous Hawks. Along the Missouri River, look for raptors perched on fence posts and power poles. In winter, check the edges of farm fields near the Missouri where Rough-legged Hawks often hunt. In South Dakota, hawks sightings usually improve when you slow down and match your first stop to where in the state sightings are most likely. Use thestate wildlife huband theroute guideto narrow your first area, then check access, weather, and distance before you settle in. A short walk with one clear viewing plan often beats covering too much ground, especially when habitat changes fast from open edges to brush, wetlands, timber, shoreline, or neighborhood cover.
Keep exploring
More places to see hawk
More wildlife in South Dakota