Owls in North Dakota in November
Yes, November is a good month to see owls in North Dakota. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 32 of the 336 sightings logged across the year (9.5%), 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.
Good month for owls in North Dakota
9.5%
of yearly sightings
32
records in November
#5
busiest month of 12
336
verified records a year
October 3.9%, November 9.5%, December 10.4%. 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, November carries 9.5% of the year's owls sightings, about 1.2 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 5th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from October (3.9%) into November, and it heads toward December (10.4%) after. The busiest month is May (16.7%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
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 November split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in November 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
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 North Dakota in November?+
Yes. November accounts for 32 of the 336 verified owls sightings logged in North Dakota across the year, which is 9.5% of the annual total.
Is November a good time to see owls in North Dakota?+
November is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though May and April is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
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