Eagles in West Virginia in January
Yes, January is one of the best months to see eagles in West Virginia. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 222 of the 1,769 sightings logged across the year (12.5%), 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.
Peak month for eagles in West Virginia
12.5%
of yearly sightings
222
records in January
#1
busiest month of 12
1,769
verified records a year
December 8.8%, January 12.5%, February 10.9%. Busiest month is January at 12.5%.
1,769 verified observations of eagles in West Virginia, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When eagles are recorded in West Virginia
Peak month
January
222 records (12.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 222 | 12.5% |
| Februarypeak | 192 | 10.9% |
| March | 164 | 9.3% |
| Aprilpeak | 197 | 11.1% |
| May | 127 | 7.2% |
| June | 101 | 5.7% |
| July | 108 | 6.1% |
| August | 127 | 7.2% |
| September | 148 | 8.4% |
| October | 123 | 7% |
| November | 104 | 5.9% |
| December | 156 | 8.8% |
Eagles you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Bald Eagle | 469 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 415 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 394 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 176 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 127 |
| Golden Eagle | 35 |
| Northern Harrier | 34 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 33 |
In West Virginia, January carries 12.5% of the year's eagles sightings, about 4.2 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from December (8.8%) into January, and it heads toward February (10.9%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so January is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The eagles most often recorded in West Virginia are Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered Hawk and Red-tailed Hawk. Those counts are annual totals rather than a January split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in January itself.
Which eagles you are most likely to see
- Bald Eagle469 records
- Red-shouldered Hawk415 records
- Red-tailed Hawk394 records
- Cooper's Hawk176 records
- Broad-winged Hawk127 records
- Golden Eagle35 records
Plan your eagle trip in West Virginia
Start with live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
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Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main eagle viewing area.
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Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see eagles in West Virginia in January?+
Yes. January accounts for 222 of the 1,769 verified eagles sightings logged in West Virginia across the year, which is 12.5% of the annual total.
Is January a good time to see eagles in West Virginia?+
January is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of January, April and February.
What month is best for eagles in West Virginia?+
January is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through January, April and February, based on 1,769 verified observations.
Which eagles are you most likely to see in West Virginia?+
The most-recorded species in West Virginia are Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered Hawk and Red-tailed Hawk, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See eagles in West Virginia in other months
More wildlife in West Virginia