Best Time to See Great Horned Owls in New Mexico
April, May and June is the best time to see great horned owls in New Mexico. Based on 1,127 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when great horned owls are most active across the year in New Mexico.
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 · CK2AZ CC BY
Great Horned Owl · Tom Kennedy CC BY
Great Horned Owl · Tom Kennedy CC BY
1,127 verified observations of great horned owls in New Mexico, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When great horned owls are recorded in New Mexico
Peak month
April
188 records (16.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 69 | 6.1% |
| February | 87 | 7.7% |
| March | 99 | 8.8% |
| Aprilpeak | 188 | 16.7% |
| Maypeak | 175 | 15.5% |
| Junepeak | 106 | 9.4% |
| July | 87 | 7.7% |
| August | 52 | 4.6% |
| September | 74 | 6.6% |
| October | 85 | 7.5% |
| November | 53 | 4.7% |
| December | 52 | 4.6% |
Great Horned Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Great Horned Owl | 1,127 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in New Mexico
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 42 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 44°F | 26°F | 0.6" |
| Feb | 47°F | 26°F | 0.8" |
| Mar | 57°F | 34°F | 1" |
| Aprbest time | 68°F | 42°F | 0.4" |
| Maybest time | 76°F | 51°F | 0.5" |
| Junbest time | 84°F | 60°F | 1.1" |
| Jul | 87°F | 65°F | 1" |
| Aug | 84°F | 63°F | 1.2" |
| Sep | 79°F | 57°F | 0.9" |
| Oct | 67°F | 44°F | 0.9" |
| Nov | 56°F | 35°F | 0.7" |
| Dec | 47°F | 29°F | 0.6" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for New Mexico. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of great horned owls in New Mexico peak in April, when 188 of the year's 1,127 verified observations are logged — about 16.7% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and June.
The quietest stretch is August, December and November, when great horned owls are hardest to find — August sees just 52 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 New Mexico 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 New Mexico
- Bandelier National Monument — National Monument
- Capulin Volcano National Monument — National Monument
- Carlsbad Caverns National Park — National Park
- El Malpais National Monument — National Monument
- El Morro National Monument — National Monument
- Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument — National Monument
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see great horned owls in New Mexico?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and June, based on 1,127 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are great horned owls hardest to see in New Mexico?+
August is the quietest month for great horned owls in New Mexico, with only 52 verified records.
Are great horned owls active year-round in New Mexico?+
Great horned owls are recorded in 12 of 12 months in New Mexico, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More wildlife in New Mexico