Best Time to See Owls in Illinois
April, January and May is the best time to see owls in Illinois. Based on 4,215 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when 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 June 28, 2026.
Short-eared Owl · Public domain CC0
Eastern Screech-Owl · Public domain CC0
Northern Saw-whet Owl · psweet CC BY-SA
4,215 verified observations of owls in Illinois, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When owls are recorded in Illinois
Peak month
April
708 records (16.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 489 | 11.6% |
| February | 339 | 8% |
| March | 427 | 10.1% |
| Aprilpeak | 708 | 16.8% |
| Maypeak | 478 | 11.3% |
| June | 255 | 6% |
| July | 171 | 4.1% |
| August | 218 | 5.2% |
| September | 186 | 4.4% |
| October | 198 | 4.7% |
| November | 381 | 9% |
| December | 365 | 8.7% |
Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Great Horned Owl | 1,620 |
| Barred Owl | 1,201 |
| Eastern Screech-Owl | 307 |
| Snowy Owl | 282 |
| Long-eared Owl | 263 |
| Short-eared Owl | 256 |
| Northern Saw-whet Owl | 127 |
| American Barn Owl | 47 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Illinois
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when owls are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for owls sit around 23 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janbest time | 38°F | 23°F | 3" |
| Feb | 40°F | 22°F | 3.1" |
| Mar | 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.
More on owls in Illinois:
Sightings of owls in Illinois peak in April, when 708 of the year's 4,215 verified observations are logged — about 16.8% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, January and May.
The quietest stretch is July, September and October, when owls are hardest to find — July sees just 171 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The owls you are most likely to encounter in Illinois are Great Horned Owl, Barred Owl and Eastern Screech-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 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
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see owls in Illinois?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, January and May, based on 4,215 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are owls hardest to see in Illinois?+
July is the quietest month for owls in Illinois, with only 171 verified records.
Are owls active year-round in Illinois?+
Owls are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Illinois, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More places to see owls
More wildlife in Illinois