Owls in Alabama in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see owls in Alabama. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 167 of the 1,465 sightings logged across the year (11.4%), 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.
Peak month for owls in Alabama
11.4%
of yearly sightings
167
records in May
#2
busiest month of 12
1,465
verified records a year
April 14.1%, May 11.4%, June 10.2%. Busiest month is April at 14.1%.
1,465 verified observations of owls in Alabama, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When owls are recorded in Alabama
Peak month
April
206 records (14.1% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 99 | 6.8% |
| February | 97 | 6.6% |
| March | 133 | 9.1% |
| Aprilpeak | 206 | 14.1% |
| Maypeak | 167 | 11.4% |
| Junepeak | 150 | 10.2% |
| July | 113 | 7.7% |
| August | 103 | 7% |
| September | 103 | 7% |
| October | 94 | 6.4% |
| November | 110 | 7.5% |
| December | 90 | 6.1% |
Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Barred Owl | 877 |
| Great Horned Owl | 360 |
| Eastern Screech-Owl | 167 |
| American Barn Owl | 28 |
| Burrowing Owl | 15 |
| Northern Saw-whet Owl | 4 |
| Long-eared Owl | 1 |
In Alabama, May carries 11.4% of the year's owls sightings, about 3.1 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from April (14.1%) into May, and it heads toward June (10.2%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The owls most often recorded in Alabama are Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl and Eastern Screech-Owl. Those counts are annual totals rather than a May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May itself.
Which owls you are most likely to see
- Barred Owl877 records
- Great Horned Owl360 records
- Eastern Screech-Owl167 records
- American Barn Owl28 records
- Burrowing Owl15 records
- Northern Saw-whet Owl4 records
Plan your owl trip in Alabama
Start with live tours near Horseshoe Bend National Military Park, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Horseshoe Bend National Military Park
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main owl viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Horseshoe Bend National Military Park
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best owl viewing area in Alabama.
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Broader backupBook a owl tour in Alabama
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 owls in Alabama in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 167 of the 1,465 verified owls sightings logged in Alabama across the year, which is 11.4% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see owls in Alabama?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of April, May and June.
What month is best for owls in Alabama?+
April is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through April, May and June, based on 1,465 verified observations.
Which owls are you most likely to see in Alabama?+
The most-recorded species in Alabama are Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl and Eastern Screech-Owl, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See owls in Alabama in other months
More places to see owls
More wildlife in Alabama