Best Time to See Great Horned Owls in Texas
April, March and May is the best time to see great horned owls in Texas. Based on 6,391 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when great horned owls are most active across the year in Texas.
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 · Kevin Floyd CC BY
Great Horned Owl · Public domain CC0
Great Horned Owl · Karen Szafrajda CC BY
6,391 verified observations of great horned owls in Texas, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When great horned owls are recorded in Texas
Peak month
April
939 records (14.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 564 | 8.8% |
| February | 562 | 8.8% |
| Marchpeak | 904 | 14.1% |
| Aprilpeak | 939 | 14.7% |
| Maypeak | 586 | 9.2% |
| June | 382 | 6% |
| July | 349 | 5.5% |
| August | 368 | 5.8% |
| September | 405 | 6.3% |
| October | 447 | 7% |
| November | 407 | 6.4% |
| December | 478 | 7.5% |
Great Horned Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Great Horned Owl | 6,391 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Texas
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 49 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 60°F | 39°F | 0.9" |
| Feb | 60°F | 38°F | 1" |
| Marbest time | 71°F | 49°F | 1.7" |
| Aprbest time | 78°F | 56°F | 1.6" |
| Maybest time | 85°F | 64°F | 5.1" |
| Jun | 93°F | 72°F | 1.7" |
| Jul | 96°F | 75°F | 0.9" |
| Aug | 96°F | 75°F | 1.2" |
| Sep | 89°F | 69°F | 1.7" |
| Oct | 80°F | 58°F | 2" |
| Nov | 67°F | 48°F | 1.1" |
| Dec | 64°F | 44°F | 1.2" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Texas. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of great horned owls in Texas peak in April, when 939 of the year's 6,391 verified observations are logged — about 14.7% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, March and May.
The quietest stretch is July, August and June, when great horned owls are hardest to find — July sees just 349 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 Texas 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 Texas
- Amistad National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
- Big Bend National Park — National Park
- Big Thicket National Preserve — National Preserve
- Chamizal National Memorial — National Memorial
- Fort Davis National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Guadalupe Mountains National Park — National Park
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see great horned owls in Texas?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, March and May, based on 6,391 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are great horned owls hardest to see in Texas?+
July is the quietest month for great horned owls in Texas, with only 349 verified records.
Are great horned owls active year-round in Texas?+
Great horned owls are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Texas, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More wildlife in Texas