Pelicans in Iowa in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see pelicans in Iowa. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 82 of the 793 sightings logged across the year (10.3%), 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 Iowa
10.3%
of yearly sightings
82
records in May
#3
busiest month of 12
793
verified records a year
April 24.1%, May 10.3%, June 8.8%. Busiest month is April at 24.1%.
793 verified observations of pelicans in Iowa, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When pelicans are recorded in Iowa
Peak month
April
191 records (24.1% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 16 | 2% |
| February | 16 | 2% |
| Marchpeak | 112 | 14.1% |
| Aprilpeak | 191 | 24.1% |
| Maypeak | 82 | 10.3% |
| June | 70 | 8.8% |
| July | 64 | 8.1% |
| August | 63 | 7.9% |
| September | 69 | 8.7% |
| October | 39 | 4.9% |
| November | 36 | 4.5% |
| December | 35 | 4.4% |
Pelicans you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| American White Pelican | 789 |
| Brown Pelican | 3 |
In Iowa, May carries 10.3% of the year's pelicans sightings, about 2 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 (24.1%) into May, and it heads toward June (8.8%) 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 Iowa 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 Pelican789 records
- Brown Pelican3 records
Plan your pelican trip in Iowa
Start with live tours near Effigy Mounds National Monument, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Effigy Mounds National Monument
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 Effigy Mounds National Monument
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best pelican viewing area in Iowa.
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Broader backupBook a pelican tour in Iowa
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 Iowa in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 82 of the 793 verified pelicans sightings logged in Iowa across the year, which is 10.3% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see pelicans in Iowa?+
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 Iowa?+
April is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through April, March and May, based on 793 verified observations.
Which pelicans are you most likely to see in Iowa?+
The most-recorded species in Iowa are American White Pelican and Brown Pelican, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See pelicans in Iowa in other months
More places to see pelicans
More wildlife in Iowa