Best Time to See Great Horned Owls in Pennsylvania
April, March and May is the best time to see great horned owls in Pennsylvania. Based on 1,256 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when great horned owls are most active across the year in Pennsylvania.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 20, 2026.
Great Horned Owl · George Pushkal CC BY
Great Horned Owl · Bill Keim CC BY
Great Horned Owl · Andrew Conboy CC BY
1,256 verified observations of great horned owls in Pennsylvania, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When great horned owls are recorded in Pennsylvania
Peak month
April
209 records (16.6% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 80 | 6.4% |
| February | 79 | 6.3% |
| Marchpeak | 140 | 11.1% |
| Aprilpeak | 209 | 16.6% |
| Maypeak | 127 | 10.1% |
| June | 91 | 7.2% |
| July | 95 | 7.6% |
| August | 107 | 8.5% |
| September | 121 | 9.6% |
| October | 73 | 5.8% |
| November | 58 | 4.6% |
| December | 76 | 6.1% |
Great Horned Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Great Horned Owl | 1,256 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Pennsylvania
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when great horned owls are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for great horned owls sit around 31 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 38°F | 23°F | 3.1" |
| Feb | 41°F | 23°F | 3.6" |
| Marbest time | 50°F | 31°F | 3.3" |
| Aprbest time | 60°F | 40°F | 4.1" |
| Maybest time | 70°F | 49°F | 4.1" |
| Jun | 79°F | 59°F | 3.9" |
| Jul | 86°F | 65°F | 3.2" |
| Aug | 84°F | 64°F | 4.3" |
| Sep | 75°F | 57°F | 3.9" |
| Oct | 64°F | 47°F | 4" |
| Nov | 51°F | 35°F | 2.4" |
| Dec | 43°F | 29°F | 4.3" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Pennsylvania. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of great horned owls in Pennsylvania peak in April, when 209 of the year's 1,256 verified observations are logged — about 16.6% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, March and May.
The quietest stretch is November, October and December, when great horned owls are hardest to find — November sees just 58 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The great horned owls you are most likely to encounter in Pennsylvania are Great Horned Owl — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see great horned owls in Pennsylvania
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Chesapeake Bay
- Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
- Fort Necessity National Battlefield — National Battlefield
- Friendship Hill National Historic Site — National Historic Site
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see great horned owls in Pennsylvania?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, March and May, based on 1,256 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are great horned owls hardest to see in Pennsylvania?+
November is the quietest month for great horned owls in Pennsylvania, with only 58 verified records.
Are great horned owls active year-round in Pennsylvania?+
Great horned owls are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Pennsylvania, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More wildlife in Pennsylvania