Best Time to See Owls in Texas
April, March and May is the best time to see owls in Texas. Based on 25,085 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when 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 June 28, 2026.
Flammulated Owl · Kevin Floyd CC BY
Great Horned Owl · Kevin Floyd CC BY
Eastern Screech-Owl · Sam Kieschnick CC BY
25,085 verified observations of owls in Texas, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When owls are recorded in Texas
Peak month
April
3,728 records (14.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2,335 | 9.3% |
| February | 2,193 | 8.7% |
| Marchpeak | 3,064 | 12.2% |
| Aprilpeak | 3,728 | 14.9% |
| Maypeak | 2,972 | 11.8% |
| June | 1,864 | 7.4% |
| July | 1,311 | 5.2% |
| August | 1,246 | 5% |
| September | 1,311 | 5.2% |
| October | 1,382 | 5.5% |
| November | 1,672 | 6.7% |
| December | 2,007 | 8% |
Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Eastern Screech-Owl | 6,982 |
| Great Horned Owl | 6,339 |
| Barred Owl | 5,771 |
| Burrowing Owl | 3,153 |
| American Barn Owl | 977 |
| Short-eared Owl | 414 |
| Elf Owl | 341 |
| Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl | 217 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Texas
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when owls are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for 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.
More on owls in Texas:
Sightings of owls in Texas peak in April, when 3,728 of the year's 25,085 verified observations are logged — about 14.9% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, March and May.
The quietest stretch is August, July and September, when owls are hardest to find — August sees just 1,246 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The owls you are most likely to encounter in Texas are Eastern Screech-Owl, Great Horned Owl and Barred 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 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
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see owls in Texas?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, March and May, based on 25,085 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are owls hardest to see in Texas?+
August is the quietest month for owls in Texas, with only 1,246 verified records.
Are owls active year-round in Texas?+
Owls are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Texas, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More places to see owls
More wildlife in Texas