Best Time to See Owls in Mississippi
April, March and February is the best time to see owls in Mississippi. Based on 635 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when 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 June 28, 2026.
Great Horned Owl · Public domain CC0
Barred Owl · Public domain CC0
Great Horned Owl · Michael A. Alcorn CC BY
635 verified observations of owls in Mississippi, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When owls are recorded in Mississippi
Peak month
April
84 records (13.2% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 53 | 8.3% |
| Februarypeak | 63 | 9.9% |
| Marchpeak | 81 | 12.8% |
| Aprilpeak | 84 | 13.2% |
| May | 53 | 8.3% |
| June | 58 | 9.1% |
| July | 33 | 5.2% |
| August | 35 | 5.5% |
| September | 46 | 7.2% |
| October | 39 | 6.1% |
| November | 47 | 7.4% |
| December | 43 | 6.8% |
Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Barred Owl | 305 |
| Great Horned Owl | 190 |
| Eastern Screech-Owl | 89 |
| American Barn Owl | 24 |
| Short-eared Owl | 11 |
| Northern Saw-whet Owl | 2 |
| Burrowing Owl | 1 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Mississippi
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 42 to 74 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 57°F | 40°F | 6" |
| Febbest time | 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" |
| Jul | 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.
More on owls in Mississippi:
Sightings of owls in Mississippi peak in April, when 84 of the year's 635 verified observations are logged — about 13.2% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, March and February.
The quietest stretch is July, August and October, when owls are hardest to find — July sees just 33 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 Mississippi 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 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
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see owls in Mississippi?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, March and February, based on 635 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are owls hardest to see in Mississippi?+
July is the quietest month for owls in Mississippi, with only 33 verified records.
Are owls active year-round in Mississippi?+
Owls are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Mississippi, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More places to see owls
More wildlife in Mississippi