Best Time to See Hawks in Texas
January, December and April is the best time to see hawks in Texas. Based on 112,388 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when hawks are most active across the year in Texas.
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 · Catherine C. Galley CC BY
Bald Eagle · Luciano Massa CC BY
Golden Eagle · highsinger CC BY
112,388 verified observations of hawks in Texas, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hawks are recorded in Texas
Peak month
January
13,646 records (12.1% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 13,646 | 12.1% |
| February | 11,384 | 10.1% |
| March | 10,512 | 9.4% |
| Aprilpeak | 12,197 | 10.9% |
| May | 9,988 | 8.9% |
| June | 6,554 | 5.8% |
| July | 5,771 | 5.1% |
| August | 6,299 | 5.6% |
| September | 6,169 | 5.5% |
| October | 7,627 | 6.8% |
| November | 10,023 | 8.9% |
| Decemberpeak | 12,218 | 10.9% |
Hawks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 27,368 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 24,056 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 13,052 |
| Mississippi Kite | 10,851 |
| Bald Eagle | 7,156 |
| Northern Harrier | 5,063 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 4,881 |
| Harris's Hawk | 3,744 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Texas
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 39 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janbest time | 60°F | 39°F | 0.9" |
| Feb | 60°F | 38°F | 1" |
| Mar | 71°F | 49°F | 1.7" |
| Aprbest time | 78°F | 56°F | 1.6" |
| May | 85°F | 64°F | 5.1" |
| Jun | 93°F | 72°F | 1.7" |
| Jul | 96°F | 75°F | 0.9" |
| Aug | 96°F | 75°F | 1.2" |
| Sep | 89°F | 69°F | 1.7" |
| Oct | 80°F | 58°F | 2" |
| Nov | 67°F | 48°F | 1.1" |
| Decbest time | 64°F | 44°F | 1.2" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Texas. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on hawks in Texas:
Sightings of hawks in Texas peak in January, when 13,646 of the year's 112,388 verified observations are logged — about 12.1% of the annual total. Activity stays high through January, December and April.
The quietest stretch is July, September and August, when hawks are hardest to find — July sees just 5,771 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 Texas are Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk 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 Texas
- Amistad National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
- Big Bend National Park — National Park
- Big Thicket National Preserve — National Preserve
- Chamizal National Memorial — National Memorial
- Fort Davis National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Guadalupe Mountains National Park — National Park
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see hawks in Texas?+
January is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through January, December and April, based on 112,388 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are hawks hardest to see in Texas?+
July is the quietest month for hawks in Texas, with only 5,771 verified records.
Are hawks active year-round in Texas?+
Hawks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Texas, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in January.
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in Texas