Pelicans in Illinois in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see pelicans in Illinois. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 197 of the 2,201 sightings logged across the year (9%), 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.
Peak month for pelicans in Illinois
9%
of yearly sightings
197
records in May
#3
busiest month of 12
2,201
verified records a year
April 28.7%, May 9%, June 5.8%. Busiest month is April at 28.7%.
2,201 verified observations of pelicans in Illinois, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When pelicans are recorded in Illinois
Peak month
April
631 records (28.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 13 | 0.6% |
| February | 66 | 3% |
| Marchpeak | 583 | 26.5% |
| Aprilpeak | 631 | 28.7% |
| Maypeak | 197 | 9% |
| June | 127 | 5.8% |
| July | 94 | 4.3% |
| August | 81 | 3.7% |
| September | 175 | 8% |
| October | 140 | 6.4% |
| November | 68 | 3.1% |
| December | 26 | 1.2% |
Pelicans you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| American White Pelican | 2,199 |
| Brown Pelican | 2 |
In Illinois, May carries 9% of the year's pelicans sightings, about 0.7 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from April (28.7%) into May, and it heads toward June (5.8%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The pelicans most often recorded in Illinois are American White Pelican and Brown Pelican. Those counts are annual totals rather than a May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May itself.
Which pelicans you are most likely to see
- American White Pelican2,199 records
- Brown Pelican2 records
Plan your pelican trip in Illinois
Start with live tours near Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main pelican viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best pelican viewing area in Illinois.
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Broader backupBook a pelican tour in Illinois
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see pelicans in Illinois in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 197 of the 2,201 verified pelicans sightings logged in Illinois across the year, which is 9% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see pelicans in Illinois?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of April, March and May.
What month is best for pelicans in Illinois?+
April is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through April, March and May, based on 2,201 verified observations.
Which pelicans are you most likely to see in Illinois?+
The most-recorded species in Illinois are American White Pelican and Brown Pelican, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See pelicans in Illinois in other months
More places to see pelicans
More wildlife in Illinois