Best Time to See Great Horned Owls in Arizona
April, May and June is the best time to see great horned owls in Arizona. Based on 3,382 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when great horned owls are most active across the year in Arizona.
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 · Jake Nitta CC BY
Great Horned Owl · Fluff Berger CC BY-SA
Great Horned Owl · Tyler Bishop CC BY
3,382 verified observations of great horned owls in Arizona, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When great horned owls are recorded in Arizona
Peak month
April
498 records (14.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 238 | 7% |
| February | 215 | 6.4% |
| March | 330 | 9.8% |
| Aprilpeak | 498 | 14.7% |
| Maypeak | 422 | 12.5% |
| Junepeak | 337 | 10% |
| July | 262 | 7.7% |
| August | 266 | 7.9% |
| September | 216 | 6.4% |
| October | 224 | 6.6% |
| November | 182 | 5.4% |
| December | 192 | 5.7% |
Great Horned Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Great Horned Owl | 3,382 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Arizona
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 49 to 88 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 52°F | 34°F | 1.9" |
| Feb | 52°F | 34°F | 1.9" |
| Mar | 58°F | 39°F | 2.7" |
| Aprbest time | 71°F | 49°F | 0.2" |
| Maybest time | 77°F | 56°F | 0.3" |
| Junbest time | 88°F | 66°F | 0.3" |
| Jul | 91°F | 72°F | 2.7" |
| Aug | 88°F | 70°F | 2.2" |
| Sep | 84°F | 64°F | 1.4" |
| Oct | 73°F | 52°F | 0.6" |
| Nov | 63°F | 43°F | 1.5" |
| Dec | 53°F | 36°F | 2" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Arizona. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of great horned owls in Arizona peak in April, when 498 of the year's 3,382 verified observations are logged — about 14.7% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and June.
The quietest stretch is November, December and February, when great horned owls are hardest to find — November sees just 182 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 Arizona 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 Arizona
- Chiricahua National Monument — National Monument
- Coronado National Memorial — National Memorial
- Fort Bowie National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Grand Canyon National Park — National Park
- Lake Mead National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
- Montezuma Castle National Monument — National Monument
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see great horned owls in Arizona?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and June, based on 3,382 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are great horned owls hardest to see in Arizona?+
November is the quietest month for great horned owls in Arizona, with only 182 verified records.
Are great horned owls active year-round in Arizona?+
Great horned owls are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Arizona, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More wildlife in Arizona