Owls in Oklahoma in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see owls in Oklahoma. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 171 of the 1,400 sightings logged across the year (12.2%), 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 Oklahoma
12.2%
of yearly sightings
171
records in May
#2
busiest month of 12
1,400
verified records a year
April 13.1%, May 12.2%, June 11.8%. Busiest month is April at 13.1%.
1,400 verified observations of owls in Oklahoma, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When owls are recorded in Oklahoma
Peak month
April
184 records (13.1% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 120 | 8.6% |
| February | 109 | 7.8% |
| March | 125 | 8.9% |
| Aprilpeak | 184 | 13.1% |
| Maypeak | 171 | 12.2% |
| Junepeak | 165 | 11.8% |
| July | 100 | 7.1% |
| August | 71 | 5.1% |
| September | 83 | 5.9% |
| October | 76 | 5.4% |
| November | 91 | 6.5% |
| December | 105 | 7.5% |
Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Barred Owl | 580 |
| Great Horned Owl | 439 |
| Burrowing Owl | 160 |
| Short-eared Owl | 63 |
| Eastern Screech-Owl | 58 |
| American Barn Owl | 57 |
| Long-eared Owl | 8 |
| Snowy Owl | 8 |
In Oklahoma, May carries 12.2% of the year's owls sightings, about 3.9 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 (11.8%) 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 Oklahoma are Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl and Burrowing 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
- Barred Owl580 records
- Great Horned Owl439 records
- Burrowing Owl160 records
- Short-eared Owl63 records
- Eastern Screech-Owl58 records
- American Barn Owl57 records
Plan your owl trip in Oklahoma
Start with live tours near Chickasaw National Recreation Area, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Chickasaw National Recreation Area
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 Chickasaw National Recreation Area
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best owl viewing area in Oklahoma.
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Broader backupBook a owl tour in Oklahoma
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 Oklahoma in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 171 of the 1,400 verified owls sightings logged in Oklahoma across the year, which is 12.2% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see owls in Oklahoma?+
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 Oklahoma?+
April is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through April, May and June, based on 1,400 verified observations.
Which owls are you most likely to see in Oklahoma?+
The most-recorded species in Oklahoma are Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl and Burrowing Owl, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See owls in Oklahoma in other months
More places to see owls
More wildlife in Oklahoma