Owls in Tennessee in December
Yes, December is a good month to see owls in Tennessee. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 219 of the 2,619 sightings logged across the year (8.4%), 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.
Good month for owls in Tennessee
8.4%
of yearly sightings
219
records in December
#5
busiest month of 12
2,619
verified records a year
November 5.7%, December 8.4%, January 6.9%. Busiest month is April at 14.4%.
2,619 verified observations of owls in Tennessee, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When owls are recorded in Tennessee
Peak month
April
376 records (14.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 180 | 6.9% |
| February | 196 | 7.5% |
| March | 234 | 8.9% |
| Aprilpeak | 376 | 14.4% |
| Maypeak | 319 | 12.2% |
| Junepeak | 317 | 12.1% |
| July | 187 | 7.1% |
| August | 155 | 5.9% |
| September | 153 | 5.8% |
| October | 134 | 5.1% |
| November | 149 | 5.7% |
| December | 219 | 8.4% |
Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Barred Owl | 1,709 |
| Great Horned Owl | 372 |
| Eastern Screech-Owl | 296 |
| Short-eared Owl | 105 |
| American Barn Owl | 68 |
| Northern Saw-whet Owl | 15 |
| Long-eared Owl | 14 |
| Snowy Owl | 9 |
In Tennessee, December carries 8.4% of the year's owls sightings, about 0.1 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 November (5.7%) into December, and it heads toward January (6.9%) after. The busiest month is April (14.4%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The owls most often recorded in Tennessee are Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl and Eastern Screech-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
- Barred Owl1,709 records
- Great Horned Owl372 records
- Eastern Screech-Owl296 records
- Short-eared Owl105 records
- American Barn Owl68 records
- Northern Saw-whet Owl15 records
Plan your owl trip in Tennessee
Start with live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail, 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 Appalachian National Scenic Trail
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 Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best owl viewing area in Tennessee.
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Broader backupBook a owl tour in Tennessee
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 Tennessee in December?+
Yes. December accounts for 219 of the 2,619 verified owls sightings logged in Tennessee across the year, which is 8.4% of the annual total.
Is December a good time to see owls in Tennessee?+
December is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though April and May is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for owls in Tennessee?+
April is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through April, May and June, based on 2,619 verified observations.
Which owls are you most likely to see in Tennessee?+
The most-recorded species in Tennessee are Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl and Eastern Screech-Owl, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See owls in Tennessee in other months
More places to see owls
More wildlife in Tennessee