Owls in North Dakota in December
Yes, December is one of the best months to see owls in North Dakota. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 35 of the 336 sightings logged across the year (10.4%), 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 June 28, 2026.
Peak month for owls in North Dakota
10.4%
of yearly sightings
35
records in December
#3
busiest month of 12
336
verified records a year
November 9.5%, December 10.4%, January 6.8%. Busiest month is May at 16.7%.
336 verified observations of owls in North Dakota, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When owls are recorded in North Dakota
Peak month
May
56 records (16.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 23 | 6.8% |
| February | 23 | 6.8% |
| March | 29 | 8.6% |
| Aprilpeak | 47 | 14% |
| Maypeak | 56 | 16.7% |
| June | 27 | 8% |
| July | 33 | 9.8% |
| August | 12 | 3.6% |
| September | 6 | 1.8% |
| October | 13 | 3.9% |
| November | 32 | 9.5% |
| Decemberpeak | 35 | 10.4% |
Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Great Horned Owl | 138 |
| Snowy Owl | 51 |
| Short-eared Owl | 38 |
| Burrowing Owl | 31 |
| Northern Saw-whet Owl | 21 |
| Long-eared Owl | 19 |
| Eastern Screech-Owl | 14 |
| Barred Owl | 13 |
In North Dakota, December carries 10.4% of the year's owls sightings, about 2.1 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity holds steady between November and December, and it heads toward January (6.8%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so December is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The owls most often recorded in North Dakota are Great Horned Owl, Snowy Owl and Short-eared Owl. Those counts are annual totals rather than a December split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in December itself.
Which owls you are most likely to see
- Great Horned Owl138 records
- Snowy Owl51 records
- Short-eared Owl38 records
- Burrowing Owl31 records
- Northern Saw-whet Owl21 records
- Long-eared Owl19 records
Plan your owl trip in North Dakota
Start with live tours near Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
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Live tours nearbySee live tours near Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site
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 Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best owl viewing area in North Dakota.
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Broader backupBook a owl tour in North Dakota
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Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see owls in North Dakota in December?+
Yes. December accounts for 35 of the 336 verified owls sightings logged in North Dakota across the year, which is 10.4% of the annual total.
Is December a good time to see owls in North Dakota?+
December is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of May, April and December.
What month is best for owls in North Dakota?+
May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, April and December, based on 336 verified observations.
Which owls are you most likely to see in North Dakota?+
The most-recorded species in North Dakota are Great Horned Owl, Snowy Owl and Short-eared Owl, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See owls in North Dakota in other months
More places to see owls
More wildlife in North Dakota