Owls in Missouri in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see owls in Missouri. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 255 of the 2,114 sightings logged across the year (12.1%), 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 Missouri
12.1%
of yearly sightings
255
records in May
#2
busiest month of 12
2,114
verified records a year
April 16.7%, May 12.1%, June 8.2%. Busiest month is April at 16.7%.
2,114 verified observations of owls in Missouri, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When owls are recorded in Missouri
Peak month
April
354 records (16.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 146 | 6.9% |
| February | 134 | 6.3% |
| March | 185 | 8.8% |
| Aprilpeak | 354 | 16.7% |
| Maypeak | 255 | 12.1% |
| June | 173 | 8.2% |
| July | 149 | 7% |
| August | 120 | 5.7% |
| September | 125 | 5.9% |
| October | 122 | 5.8% |
| November | 135 | 6.4% |
| Decemberpeak | 216 | 10.2% |
Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Barred Owl | 1,233 |
| Great Horned Owl | 522 |
| Short-eared Owl | 159 |
| Eastern Screech-Owl | 65 |
| Snowy Owl | 34 |
| American Barn Owl | 30 |
| Long-eared Owl | 11 |
| Northern Saw-whet Owl | 8 |
In Missouri, May carries 12.1% of the year's owls sightings, about 3.8 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 easing off from April (16.7%) into May, and it heads toward June (8.2%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The owls most often recorded in Missouri are Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl and Short-eared Owl. Those counts are annual totals rather than a May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May itself.
Which owls you are most likely to see
- Barred Owl1,233 records
- Great Horned Owl522 records
- Short-eared Owl159 records
- Eastern Screech-Owl65 records
- Snowy Owl34 records
- American Barn Owl30 records
Plan your owl trip in Missouri
Start with live tours near George Washington Carver National Monument, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near George Washington Carver 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 George Washington Carver National Monument
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best owl viewing area in Missouri.
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Broader backupBook a owl tour in Missouri
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 Missouri in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 255 of the 2,114 verified owls sightings logged in Missouri across the year, which is 12.1% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see owls in Missouri?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of April, May and December.
What month is best for owls in Missouri?+
April is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through April, May and December, based on 2,114 verified observations.
Which owls are you most likely to see in Missouri?+
The most-recorded species in Missouri are Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl and Short-eared Owl, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See owls in Missouri in other months
More places to see owls
More wildlife in Missouri