Hawks in Wisconsin in January
Yes, January is a good month to see hawks in Wisconsin. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 837 of the 10,019 sightings logged across the year (8.4%), 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 Wisconsin
8.4%
of yearly sightings
837
records in January
#5
busiest month of 12
10,019
verified records a year
December 6.7%, January 8.4%, February 8%. Busiest month is April at 11.4%.
10,019 verified observations of hawks in Wisconsin, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hawks are recorded in Wisconsin
Peak month
April
1,143 records (11.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 837 | 8.4% |
| February | 806 | 8% |
| Marchpeak | 1,060 | 10.6% |
| Aprilpeak | 1,143 | 11.4% |
| Maypeak | 1,071 | 10.7% |
| June | 690 | 6.9% |
| July | 739 | 7.4% |
| August | 885 | 8.8% |
| September | 768 | 7.7% |
| October | 726 | 7.2% |
| November | 624 | 6.2% |
| December | 670 | 6.7% |
Hawks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Bald Eagle | 3,844 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 3,078 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 1,403 |
| Northern Harrier | 425 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 398 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 317 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 181 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 103 |
In Wisconsin, January carries 8.4% of the year's hawks sightings, about 0.1 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 December (6.7%) into January, and it heads toward February (8%) after. The busiest month is April (11.4%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The hawks most often recorded in Wisconsin are Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk and Cooper's 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 hawks you are most likely to see
- Bald Eagle3,844 records
- Red-tailed Hawk3,078 records
- Cooper's Hawk1,403 records
- Northern Harrier425 records
- Broad-winged Hawk398 records
- Rough-legged Hawk317 records
Plan your hawk trip in Wisconsin
Start with live tours near Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main hawk viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best hawk viewing area in Wisconsin.
Viator
Broader backupBook a hawk tour in Wisconsin
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see hawks in Wisconsin in January?+
Yes. January accounts for 837 of the 10,019 verified hawks sightings logged in Wisconsin across the year, which is 8.4% of the annual total.
Is January a good time to see hawks in Wisconsin?+
January is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though April and May is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for hawks in Wisconsin?+
April is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through April, May and March, based on 10,019 verified observations.
Which hawks are you most likely to see in Wisconsin?+
The most-recorded species in Wisconsin are Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk and Cooper's Hawk, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See hawks in Wisconsin in other months
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in Wisconsin