Best Time to See Great Horned Owls in Alabama
April, March and September is the best time to see great horned owls in Alabama. Based on 365 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when great horned owls are most active across the year in Alabama.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 20, 2026.
Great Horned Owl · Matthew Inabinett CC BY
Great Horned Owl · Public domain CC0
Great Horned Owl · Dan Vickers CC BY
365 verified observations of great horned owls in Alabama, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When great horned owls are recorded in Alabama
Peak month
April
54 records (14.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 21 | 5.8% |
| February | 23 | 6.3% |
| Marchpeak | 41 | 11.2% |
| Aprilpeak | 54 | 14.8% |
| May | 32 | 8.8% |
| June | 34 | 9.3% |
| July | 33 | 9% |
| August | 31 | 8.5% |
| Septemberpeak | 36 | 9.9% |
| October | 21 | 5.8% |
| November | 19 | 5.2% |
| December | 20 | 5.5% |
Great Horned Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Great Horned Owl | 365 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Alabama
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when great horned owls are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for great horned owls sit around 50 to 87 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 57°F | 40°F | 5.4" |
| Feb | 63°F | 45°F | 6.3" |
| Marbest time | 69°F | 50°F | 6" |
| Aprbest time | 75°F | 54°F | 4.9" |
| May | 83°F | 62°F | 3.8" |
| Jun | 88°F | 70°F | 5.8" |
| Jul | 91°F | 73°F | 4.5" |
| Aug | 91°F | 73°F | 4.4" |
| Sepbest time | 87°F | 68°F | 3.1" |
| Oct | 76°F | 58°F | 3.9" |
| Nov | 65°F | 47°F | 3.2" |
| Dec | 60°F | 44°F | 4.8" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Alabama. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of great horned owls in Alabama peak in April, when 54 of the year's 365 verified observations are logged — about 14.8% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, March and September.
The quietest stretch is November, December and January, when great horned owls are hardest to find — November sees just 19 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The great horned owls you are most likely to encounter in Alabama are Great Horned Owl — 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 great horned owls in Alabama
- Horseshoe Bend National Military Park — National Military Park
- Little River Canyon National Preserve — National Preserve
- Natchez Trace Parkway — Parkway
- Russell Cave National Monument — National Monument
- Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument — National Monument
- Freedom Riders National Monument — National Monument
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see great horned owls in Alabama?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, March and September, based on 365 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are great horned owls hardest to see in Alabama?+
November is the quietest month for great horned owls in Alabama, with only 19 verified records.
Are great horned owls active year-round in Alabama?+
Great horned owls are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Alabama, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More wildlife in Alabama