Best Time to See Great Horned Owls in Illinois
April, May and March is the best time to see great horned owls in Illinois. Based on 1,635 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when great horned owls are most active across the year in Illinois.
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 · Dmitry Mozzherin CC BY
Great Horned Owl · Daniel Z CC BY
Great Horned Owl · L.J. Lamera CC BY
1,635 verified observations of great horned owls in Illinois, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When great horned owls are recorded in Illinois
Peak month
April
342 records (20.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 101 | 6.2% |
| February | 98 | 6% |
| Marchpeak | 169 | 10.3% |
| Aprilpeak | 342 | 20.9% |
| Maypeak | 201 | 12.3% |
| June | 109 | 6.7% |
| July | 107 | 6.5% |
| August | 123 | 7.5% |
| September | 110 | 6.7% |
| October | 98 | 6% |
| November | 63 | 3.9% |
| December | 114 | 7% |
Great Horned Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Great Horned Owl | 1,635 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Illinois
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 34 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 38°F | 23°F | 3" |
| Feb | 40°F | 22°F | 3.1" |
| Marbest time | 53°F | 34°F | 4.8" |
| Aprbest time | 63°F | 43°F | 4.1" |
| Maybest time | 73°F | 54°F | 4.6" |
| Jun | 83°F | 64°F | 3.5" |
| Jul | 85°F | 68°F | 4.3" |
| Aug | 83°F | 66°F | 3.9" |
| Sep | 79°F | 61°F | 3" |
| Oct | 65°F | 48°F | 4.9" |
| Nov | 52°F | 35°F | 1.8" |
| Dec | 45°F | 29°F | 2.3" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Illinois. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of great horned owls in Illinois peak in April, when 342 of the year's 1,635 verified observations are logged — about 20.9% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and March.
The quietest stretch is November, when great horned owls are hardest to find — November sees just 63 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 Illinois 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 Illinois
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Lincoln Home National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument — National Monument
- Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- New Philadelphia National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Pullman National Historical Park — National Historical Park
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see great horned owls in Illinois?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and March, based on 1,635 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are great horned owls hardest to see in Illinois?+
November is the quietest month for great horned owls in Illinois, with only 63 verified records.
Are great horned owls active year-round in Illinois?+
Great horned owls are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Illinois, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More wildlife in Illinois