Owls in New Mexico in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see owls in New Mexico. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 330 of the 2,296 sightings logged across the year (14.4%), 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 July 2, 2026.
Peak month for owls in New Mexico
14.4%
of yearly sightings
330
records in May
#2
busiest month of 12
2,296
verified records a year
April 15%, May 14.4%, June 12.8%. Busiest month is April at 15%.
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 |
In New Mexico, May carries 14.4% of the year's owls sightings, about 6.1 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 holds steady between April and May, and it heads toward June (12.8%) 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 New Mexico are Great Horned Owl, Burrowing Owl and Western Screech-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
- Great Horned Owl1,118 records
- Burrowing Owl342 records
- Western Screech-Owl338 records
- American Barn Owl107 records
- Spotted Owl81 records
- Northern Pygmy-Owl79 records
Plan your owl trip in New Mexico
Start with live tours near Bandelier 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 Bandelier 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 Bandelier National Monument
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best owl viewing area in New Mexico.
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Broader backupBook a owl tour in New Mexico
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 New Mexico in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 330 of the 2,296 verified owls sightings logged in New Mexico across the year, which is 14.4% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see owls in New Mexico?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of April, May and June.
What month is best for owls in New Mexico?+
April is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through April, May and June, based on 2,296 verified observations.
Which owls are you most likely to see in New Mexico?+
The most-recorded species in New Mexico are Great Horned Owl, Burrowing Owl and Western Screech-Owl, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See owls in New Mexico in other months
More places to see owls
More wildlife in New Mexico