Hawks in Utah in December
Yes, December is a good month to see hawks in Utah. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 900 of the 10,209 sightings logged across the year (8.8%), 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 June 28, 2026.
Good month for hawks in Utah
8.8%
of yearly sightings
900
records in December
#5
busiest month of 12
10,209
verified records a year
November 6.9%, December 8.8%, January 11.7%. Busiest month is January at 11.7%.
10,209 verified observations of hawks in Utah, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hawks are recorded in Utah
Peak month
January
1,193 records (11.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 1,193 | 11.7% |
| Februarypeak | 1,165 | 11.4% |
| March | 957 | 9.4% |
| Aprilpeak | 1,134 | 11.1% |
| May | 897 | 8.8% |
| June | 598 | 5.9% |
| July | 761 | 7.5% |
| August | 679 | 6.7% |
| September | 661 | 6.5% |
| October | 559 | 5.5% |
| November | 705 | 6.9% |
| December | 900 | 8.8% |
Hawks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Red-tailed Hawk | 3,091 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 1,992 |
| Bald Eagle | 1,277 |
| Northern Harrier | 1,275 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 848 |
| Golden Eagle | 571 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 337 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 265 |
In Utah, December carries 8.8% of the year's hawks sightings, about 0.5 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 5th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from November (6.9%) into December, and it heads toward January (11.7%) after. The busiest month is January (11.7%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The hawks most often recorded in Utah are Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper's Hawk and Bald Eagle. 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 hawks you are most likely to see
- Red-tailed Hawk3,091 records
- Cooper's Hawk1,992 records
- Bald Eagle1,277 records
- Northern Harrier1,275 records
- Swainson's Hawk848 records
- Golden Eagle571 records
Plan your hawk trip in Utah
Start with live tours near Bryce Canyon National Park, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
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Live tours nearbySee live tours near Bryce Canyon National Park
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main hawk viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Bryce Canyon National Park
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Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see hawks in Utah in December?+
Yes. December accounts for 900 of the 10,209 verified hawks sightings logged in Utah across the year, which is 8.8% of the annual total.
Is December a good time to see hawks in Utah?+
December is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though January and February is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for hawks in Utah?+
January is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through January, February and April, based on 10,209 verified observations.
Which hawks are you most likely to see in Utah?+
The most-recorded species in Utah are Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper's Hawk and Bald Eagle, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See hawks in Utah in other months
More places to see hawks