Owl Prowls
Owls live all around us but are very good at evading detection. Come learn how to identify our local owls by size, shape, silhouette and sound. Following the indoor portion of the program participants will drive their vehicles following staff to 3-4 known owl territories in and around Houston to call and listen for Eastern Screech-Owls, Barred Owls, and Great Horned Owls.
Meet at the International Owl Center no later than the listed time (the Center will open 30 minutes prior to the program start time.) Plan to spend the first 30-45 minutes indoors learning to identify owls by sound before going outdoors. Dress for the weather, and try to wear clothes that don't make noise when you move. You will drive your vehicle following our staff to 3-4 different locations within 10 miles of Houston. Calling will be done from the side of the road, so very little walking is required. Expect to return to the Owl Center roughly 2.5 hours after program start time.
Please note that if you want to meet our ambassador owls you should visit the Center during open hours (10:00 - 4:00) as our owls do not live at the Owl Center and will have gone home by the time of the owl prowl program (except for the December program).
Programs will be canceled in case of significant wind, rain, temperatures below 0 F, or severe road conditions. Cancellations will be announced at least 24 hours prior to the program time. If we cancel the program we will refund your program fee.
No pets, smoking or vaping allowed during the indoor or outdoor portions of the program. Participants must be able to stand quietly in the cold for at least 10 minutes at a time. Owl prowls are not recommended for children under 12.
Cost: $10/member; $15/non-member (plus a nominal ticketing fee). Tickets must be purchased in advance, and usually sell out quickly.
There will be a maximum of 30 people allowed for each date. Registration is only open for one owl prowl at a time. Registration opens the day after the previous owl prowl.
Dates for fall/winter 2026 - 2027
September 19, 2026 at 6:00 PM - Click here to register starting August 19
October 24, 2026 at 5:00 PM - Click here to register starting September 20
November 21, 2026 at 4:00 PM - Click here to register starting October 25
December 26, 2026 at 4:00 PM - Click here to register starting November 22
January 23, 2027 at 4:00 PM - Click here to register starting December 27
March - see the International Festival of Owls schedule
We only do owl prowls in fall and winter so we don’t bother the owls while they’re raising their young. If you want to keep an eye out for when we do schedule them, you can watch here, follow our Facebook page or sign up for our e-newsletter.
Meet at the International Owl Center no later than the listed time (the Center will open 30 minutes prior to the program start time.) Plan to spend the first 30-45 minutes indoors learning to identify owls by sound before going outdoors. Dress for the weather, and try to wear clothes that don't make noise when you move. You will drive your vehicle following our staff to 3-4 different locations within 10 miles of Houston. Calling will be done from the side of the road, so very little walking is required. Expect to return to the Owl Center roughly 2.5 hours after program start time.
Please note that if you want to meet our ambassador owls you should visit the Center during open hours (10:00 - 4:00) as our owls do not live at the Owl Center and will have gone home by the time of the owl prowl program (except for the December program).
Programs will be canceled in case of significant wind, rain, temperatures below 0 F, or severe road conditions. Cancellations will be announced at least 24 hours prior to the program time. If we cancel the program we will refund your program fee.
No pets, smoking or vaping allowed during the indoor or outdoor portions of the program. Participants must be able to stand quietly in the cold for at least 10 minutes at a time. Owl prowls are not recommended for children under 12.
Cost: $10/member; $15/non-member (plus a nominal ticketing fee). Tickets must be purchased in advance, and usually sell out quickly.
There will be a maximum of 30 people allowed for each date. Registration is only open for one owl prowl at a time. Registration opens the day after the previous owl prowl.
Dates for fall/winter 2026 - 2027
September 19, 2026 at 6:00 PM - Click here to register starting August 19
October 24, 2026 at 5:00 PM - Click here to register starting September 20
November 21, 2026 at 4:00 PM - Click here to register starting October 25
December 26, 2026 at 4:00 PM - Click here to register starting November 22
January 23, 2027 at 4:00 PM - Click here to register starting December 27
March - see the International Festival of Owls schedule
We only do owl prowls in fall and winter so we don’t bother the owls while they’re raising their young. If you want to keep an eye out for when we do schedule them, you can watch here, follow our Facebook page or sign up for our e-newsletter.
Please note, our education owls go home at 4:00 PM. If you want to see them and your owl prowl starts 4:30 PM or later, you can visit them during our open hours by paying the admission fee (or for free if you are a member). If an owl prowl starts at 4 PM, registrants can see the owls for no additional fee from 3:30-4:00.
Owl prowls always sell out in advance, so as a courtesy to everyone involved, please let us know immediately if you cannot attend. Refunds will be given if you cancel at least 7 days in advance, or if we need to cancel the event.
