Best Time to See Owls in New Mexico
April, May and June is the best time to see owls in New Mexico. Based on 2,296 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when 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 2, 2026.
2,296 verified observations of owls in New Mexico, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When owls are recorded in New Mexico
Peak month
April
344 records (15% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 134 | 5.8% |
| February | 133 | 5.8% |
| March | 171 | 7.4% |
| Aprilpeak | 344 | 15% |
| Maypeak | 330 | 14.4% |
| Junepeak | 295 | 12.8% |
| July | 205 | 8.9% |
| August | 151 | 6.6% |
| September | 161 | 7% |
| October | 152 | 6.6% |
| November | 103 | 4.5% |
| December | 117 | 5.1% |
Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Great Horned Owl | 1,118 |
| Burrowing Owl | 342 |
| Western Screech-Owl | 338 |
| American Barn Owl | 107 |
| Spotted Owl | 81 |
| Northern Pygmy-Owl | 79 |
| Long-eared Owl | 66 |
| Flammulated Owl | 58 |
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 owls are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for 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 owls in New Mexico peak in April, when 344 of the year's 2,296 verified observations are logged — about 15% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and June.
The quietest stretch is November, December and February, when owls are hardest to find — November sees just 103 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 New Mexico are Great Horned Owl, Burrowing Owl and Western 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 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
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see owls in New Mexico?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and June, based on 2,296 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are owls hardest to see in New Mexico?+
November is the quietest month for owls in New Mexico, with only 103 verified records.
Are owls active year-round in New Mexico?+
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 places to see owls
More wildlife in New Mexico