Owls in Minnesota in January
Yes, January is one of the best months to see owls in Minnesota. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 948 of the 5,353 sightings logged across the year (17.7%), 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 28, 2026.
Peak month for owls in Minnesota
17.7%
of yearly sightings
948
records in January
#2
busiest month of 12
5,353
verified records a year
December 9.6%, January 17.7%, February 19.4%. Busiest month is February at 19.4%.
5,353 verified observations of owls in Minnesota, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When owls are recorded in Minnesota
Peak month
February
1,037 records (19.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 948 | 17.7% |
| Februarypeak | 1,037 | 19.4% |
| March | 486 | 9.1% |
| Aprilpeak | 581 | 10.9% |
| May | 513 | 9.6% |
| June | 300 | 5.6% |
| July | 182 | 3.4% |
| August | 172 | 3.2% |
| September | 185 | 3.5% |
| October | 208 | 3.9% |
| November | 228 | 4.3% |
| December | 513 | 9.6% |
Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Barred Owl | 1,710 |
| Great Horned Owl | 1,002 |
| Great Gray Owl | 811 |
| Northern Hawk Owl | 467 |
| Snowy Owl | 354 |
| Boreal Owl | 225 |
| Northern Saw-whet Owl | 208 |
| Eastern Screech-Owl | 182 |
In Minnesota, January carries 17.7% of the year's owls sightings, about 9.4 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from December (9.6%) into January, and it heads toward February (19.4%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so January is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The owls most often recorded in Minnesota are Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl and Great Gray Owl. Those counts are annual totals rather than a January split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in January itself.
Which owls you are most likely to see
- Barred Owl1,710 records
- Great Horned Owl1,002 records
- Great Gray Owl811 records
- Northern Hawk Owl467 records
- Snowy Owl354 records
- Boreal Owl225 records
Plan your owl trip in Minnesota
Start with live tours near Grand Portage National Monument, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
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Live tours nearbySee live tours near Grand Portage National Monument
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main owl viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Grand Portage National Monument
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Broader backupBook a owl tour in Minnesota
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see owls in Minnesota in January?+
Yes. January accounts for 948 of the 5,353 verified owls sightings logged in Minnesota across the year, which is 17.7% of the annual total.
Is January a good time to see owls in Minnesota?+
January is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of February, January and April.
What month is best for owls in Minnesota?+
February is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through February, January and April, based on 5,353 verified observations.
Which owls are you most likely to see in Minnesota?+
The most-recorded species in Minnesota are Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl and Great Gray Owl, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See owls in Minnesota in other months
More places to see owls
More wildlife in Minnesota