Best Time to See Eagles in Washington
April, January and March is the best time to see eagles in Washington. Based on 29,610 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when eagles are most active across the year in Washington.
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 · RJ Baltierra CC BY
American Goshawk · Ben Meredyk CC BY
Cooper's Hawk · Public domain CC0
29,610 verified observations of eagles in Washington, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When eagles are recorded in Washington
Peak month
April
3,362 records (11.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 3,304 | 11.2% |
| February | 2,887 | 9.8% |
| Marchpeak | 3,212 | 10.8% |
| Aprilpeak | 3,362 | 11.4% |
| May | 2,892 | 9.8% |
| June | 2,468 | 8.3% |
| July | 1,996 | 6.7% |
| August | 1,605 | 5.4% |
| September | 1,379 | 4.7% |
| October | 1,691 | 5.7% |
| November | 2,245 | 7.6% |
| December | 2,569 | 8.7% |
Eagles you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Bald Eagle | 14,794 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 6,884 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 3,246 |
| Northern Harrier | 2,033 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 707 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 531 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 413 |
| Golden Eagle | 345 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Washington
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when eagles are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for eagles sit around 24 to 56 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janbest time | 35°F | 24°F | 4.5" |
| Feb | 36°F | 22°F | 2.8" |
| Marbest time | 46°F | 28°F | 1.2" |
| Aprbest time | 56°F | 33°F | 1.3" |
| May | 67°F | 44°F | 1.2" |
| Jun | 76°F | 51°F | 0.9" |
| Jul | 86°F | 57°F | 0.2" |
| Aug | 86°F | 58°F | 0.3" |
| Sep | 74°F | 50°F | 1.1" |
| Oct | 59°F | 39°F | 1.7" |
| Nov | 42°F | 29°F | 3.6" |
| Dec | 33°F | 23°F | 3.6" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Washington. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on eagles in Washington:
Sightings of eagles in Washington peak in April, when 3,362 of the year's 29,610 verified observations are logged — about 11.4% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, January and March.
The quietest stretch is September, August and October, when eagles are hardest to find — September sees just 1,379 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The eagles you are most likely to encounter in Washington are Bald Eagle, 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 eagles in Washington
- Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve — National Historical Reserve
- Fort Vancouver National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Lewis and Clark National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Mount Rainier National Park — National Park
- Nez Perce National Historical Park — National Historical Park
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see eagles in Washington?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, January and March, based on 29,610 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are eagles hardest to see in Washington?+
September is the quietest month for eagles in Washington, with only 1,379 verified records.
Are eagles active year-round in Washington?+
Eagles are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Washington, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More places to see eagles
More wildlife in Washington