Owls in Alaska in May
Yes, May is a good month to see owls in Alaska. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 105 of the 969 sightings logged across the year (10.8%), 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 30, 2026.
Good month for owls in Alaska
10.8%
of yearly sightings
105
records in May
#4
busiest month of 12
969
verified records a year
April 5.5%, May 10.8%, June 20.6%. Busiest month is June at 20.6%.
969 verified observations of owls in Alaska, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When owls are recorded in Alaska
Peak month
June
200 records (20.6% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 40 | 4.1% |
| February | 56 | 5.8% |
| March | 66 | 6.8% |
| April | 53 | 5.5% |
| May | 105 | 10.8% |
| Junepeak | 200 | 20.6% |
| Julypeak | 122 | 12.6% |
| Augustpeak | 117 | 12.1% |
| September | 73 | 7.5% |
| October | 49 | 5.1% |
| November | 57 | 5.9% |
| December | 31 | 3.2% |
Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Great Horned Owl | 193 |
| Short-eared Owl | 180 |
| Northern Hawk Owl | 178 |
| Snowy Owl | 124 |
| Western Screech-Owl | 64 |
| Great Gray Owl | 57 |
| Boreal Owl | 52 |
| Northern Pygmy-Owl | 43 |
In Alaska, May carries 10.8% of the year's owls sightings, about 2.5 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (5.5%) into May, and it heads toward June (20.6%) after. The busiest month is June (20.6%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The owls most often recorded in Alaska are Great Horned Owl, Short-eared Owl and Northern Hawk 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
- Great Horned Owl193 records
- Short-eared Owl180 records
- Northern Hawk Owl178 records
- Snowy Owl124 records
- Western Screech-Owl64 records
- Great Gray Owl57 records
Plan your owl trip in Alaska
Start with live tours near Alagnak Wild River, 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 owl viewing area.
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Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see owls in Alaska in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 105 of the 969 verified owls sightings logged in Alaska across the year, which is 10.8% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see owls in Alaska?+
May is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though June and July is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for owls in Alaska?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, July and August, based on 969 verified observations.
Which owls are you most likely to see in Alaska?+
The most-recorded species in Alaska are Great Horned Owl, Short-eared Owl and Northern Hawk Owl, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See owls in Alaska in other months
More places to see owls
More wildlife in Alaska