Owls in Oregon in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see owls in Oregon. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 1,038 of the 7,224 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 Oregon
14.4%
of yearly sightings
1,038
records in May
#1
busiest month of 12
7,224
verified records a year
April 9.8%, May 14.4%, June 12.5%. Busiest month is May at 14.4%.
7,224 verified observations of owls in Oregon, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When owls are recorded in Oregon
Peak month
May
1,038 records (14.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 482 | 6.7% |
| February | 435 | 6% |
| March | 618 | 8.6% |
| Aprilpeak | 707 | 9.8% |
| Maypeak | 1,038 | 14.4% |
| Junepeak | 900 | 12.5% |
| July | 670 | 9.3% |
| August | 526 | 7.3% |
| September | 439 | 6.1% |
| October | 486 | 6.7% |
| November | 487 | 6.7% |
| December | 436 | 6% |
Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Barred Owl | 2,120 |
| Great Horned Owl | 2,079 |
| Western Screech-Owl | 543 |
| Northern Pygmy-Owl | 448 |
| American Barn Owl | 425 |
| Burrowing Owl | 387 |
| Short-eared Owl | 265 |
| Great Gray Owl | 213 |
In Oregon, 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 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (9.8%) into May, and it heads toward June (12.5%) 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 Oregon are Barred Owl, Great Horned 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
- Barred Owl2,120 records
- Great Horned Owl2,079 records
- Western Screech-Owl543 records
- Northern Pygmy-Owl448 records
- American Barn Owl425 records
- Burrowing Owl387 records
Plan your owl trip in Oregon
Start with live tours near Crater Lake National Park, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Crater Lake National Park
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 Crater Lake National Park
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best owl viewing area in Oregon.
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Broader backupBook a owl tour in Oregon
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 Oregon in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 1,038 of the 7,224 verified owls sightings logged in Oregon across the year, which is 14.4% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see owls in Oregon?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of May, June and April.
What month is best for owls in Oregon?+
May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, June and April, based on 7,224 verified observations.
Which owls are you most likely to see in Oregon?+
The most-recorded species in Oregon are Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl and Western Screech-Owl, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See owls in Oregon in other months
More places to see owls
More wildlife in Oregon