Best Time to See Owls in Louisiana
April, March and May is the best time to see owls in Louisiana. Based on 1,752 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when owls are most active across the year in Louisiana.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Great Horned Owl · Brandon Johnson CC BY
Barred Owl · Daughter Dad CC BY
Burrowing Owl · JD Flores CC BY
1,752 verified observations of owls in Louisiana, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When owls are recorded in Louisiana
Peak month
April
309 records (17.6% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 136 | 7.8% |
| February | 140 | 8% |
| Marchpeak | 230 | 13.1% |
| Aprilpeak | 309 | 17.6% |
| Maypeak | 226 | 12.9% |
| June | 120 | 6.8% |
| July | 71 | 4.1% |
| August | 98 | 5.6% |
| September | 96 | 5.5% |
| October | 96 | 5.5% |
| November | 95 | 5.4% |
| December | 135 | 7.7% |
Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Barred Owl | 1,060 |
| Great Horned Owl | 390 |
| Eastern Screech-Owl | 179 |
| American Barn Owl | 59 |
| Burrowing Owl | 22 |
| Short-eared Owl | 17 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Louisiana
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 54 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 61°F | 44°F | 5.6" |
| Feb | 64°F | 46°F | 5.3" |
| Marbest time | 72°F | 54°F | 5.8" |
| Aprbest time | 76°F | 58°F | 7.8" |
| Maybest time | 85°F | 67°F | 6" |
| Jun | 90°F | 73°F | 4.9" |
| Jul | 91°F | 75°F | 8.2" |
| Aug | 93°F | 76°F | 4.7" |
| Sep | 90°F | 71°F | 4.1" |
| Oct | 80°F | 62°F | 3.7" |
| Nov | 69°F | 50°F | 3.8" |
| Dec | 65°F | 48°F | 4.9" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Louisiana. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of owls in Louisiana peak in April, when 309 of the year's 1,752 verified observations are logged — about 17.6% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, March and May.
The quietest stretch is July, November and September, when owls are hardest to find — July sees just 71 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 Louisiana are Barred Owl, Great Horned 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 Louisiana
- Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve — National Historical Park and Preserve
- Cane River Creole National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Poverty Point National Monument — National Monument
- Vicksburg National Military Park — National Military Park
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see owls in Louisiana?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, March and May, based on 1,752 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are owls hardest to see in Louisiana?+
July is the quietest month for owls in Louisiana, with only 71 verified records.
Are owls active year-round in Louisiana?+
Owls are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Louisiana, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More places to see owls
More wildlife in Louisiana