Best Time to See Great Horned Owls in Mississippi
April, March and July is the best time to see great horned owls in Mississippi. Based on 191 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when great horned owls are most active across the year in Mississippi.
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 · Public domain CC0
Great Horned Owl · Michael A. Alcorn CC BY
Great Horned Owl · Tia Offner CC BY
191 verified observations of great horned owls in Mississippi, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When great horned owls are recorded in Mississippi
Peak month
April
25 records (13.1% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 16 | 8.4% |
| February | 16 | 8.4% |
| Marchpeak | 20 | 10.5% |
| Aprilpeak | 25 | 13.1% |
| May | 12 | 6.3% |
| June | 14 | 7.3% |
| Julypeak | 18 | 9.4% |
| August | 17 | 8.9% |
| September | 18 | 9.4% |
| October | 14 | 7.3% |
| November | 12 | 6.3% |
| December | 9 | 4.7% |
Great Horned Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Great Horned Owl | 191 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Mississippi
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 90 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 57°F | 40°F | 6" |
| Feb | 61°F | 42°F | 6.7" |
| Marbest time | 69°F | 49°F | 5.4" |
| Aprbest time | 74°F | 54°F | 7.5" |
| May | 82°F | 63°F | 4.9" |
| Jun | 89°F | 70°F | 4.5" |
| Julbest time | 90°F | 74°F | 6" |
| Aug | 90°F | 74°F | 5.7" |
| Sep | 88°F | 69°F | 2.8" |
| Oct | 77°F | 58°F | 4.3" |
| Nov | 66°F | 46°F | 2.9" |
| Dec | 61°F | 44°F | 5.6" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Mississippi. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of great horned owls in Mississippi peak in April, when 25 of the year's 191 verified observations are logged — about 13.1% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, March and July.
The quietest stretch is December, May and November, when great horned owls are hardest to find — December sees just 9 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 Mississippi 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 Mississippi
- Gulf Islands National Seashore — National Seashore
- Natchez Trace Parkway — Parkway
- Shiloh National Military Park — National Military Park
- Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield Site — National Battlefield Site
- Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument — National Monument
- Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument — National Monument
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see great horned owls in Mississippi?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, March and July, based on 191 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are great horned owls hardest to see in Mississippi?+
December is the quietest month for great horned owls in Mississippi, with only 9 verified records.
Are great horned owls active year-round in Mississippi?+
Great horned owls are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Mississippi, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More wildlife in Mississippi