Pelicans in Illinois in September
Yes, September is a good month to see pelicans in Illinois. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 175 of the 2,201 sightings logged across the year (8%), 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 pelicans in Illinois
8%
of yearly sightings
175
records in September
#4
busiest month of 12
2,201
verified records a year
August 3.7%, September 8%, October 6.4%. 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, September carries 8% of the year's pelicans sightings, about 0.3 points below an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from August (3.7%) into September, and it heads toward October (6.4%) after. The busiest month is April (28.7%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The pelicans most often recorded in Illinois are American White Pelican and Brown Pelican. Those counts are annual totals rather than a September split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in September 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 September?+
Yes. September accounts for 175 of the 2,201 verified pelicans sightings logged in Illinois across the year, which is 8% of the annual total.
Is September a good time to see pelicans in Illinois?+
September is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though April and March is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
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