Best Time to See Pelicans in Kansas
September, April and March is the best time to see pelicans in Kansas. Based on 568 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when pelicans are most active across the year in Kansas.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.
American White Pelican · Seth G. Breeding CC BY
American White Pelican · Jay Brasher CC BY
American White Pelican · Jay Brasher CC BY
568 verified observations of pelicans in Kansas, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When pelicans are recorded in Kansas
Peak month
September
98 records (17.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 24 | 4.2% |
| February | 25 | 4.4% |
| Marchpeak | 66 | 11.6% |
| Aprilpeak | 97 | 17.1% |
| May | 49 | 8.6% |
| June | 23 | 4% |
| July | 16 | 2.8% |
| August | 23 | 4% |
| Septemberpeak | 98 | 17.3% |
| October | 61 | 10.7% |
| November | 63 | 11.1% |
| December | 23 | 4% |
Pelicans you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| American White Pelican | 558 |
| Brown Pelican | 10 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Kansas
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when pelicans are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for pelicans sit around 35 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 43°F | 25°F | 1.1" |
| Feb | 43°F | 22°F | 1.1" |
| Marbest time | 55°F | 35°F | 2.2" |
| Aprbest time | 67°F | 45°F | 1.2" |
| May | 74°F | 55°F | 6.5" |
| Jun | 87°F | 67°F | 3.7" |
| Jul | 91°F | 71°F | 2.3" |
| Aug | 90°F | 70°F | 1.8" |
| Sepbest time | 84°F | 64°F | 1.7" |
| Oct | 68°F | 48°F | 1.3" |
| Nov | 56°F | 37°F | 1.3" |
| Dec | 47°F | 29°F | 1.1" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Kansas. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on pelicans in Kansas:
Sightings of pelicans in Kansas peak in September, when 98 of the year's 568 verified observations are logged — about 17.3% of the annual total. Activity stays high through September, April and March.
The quietest stretch is July, June and August, when pelicans are hardest to find — July sees just 16 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The pelicans you are most likely to encounter in Kansas are American White Pelican and Brown Pelican — 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 pelicans in Kansas
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve — National Preserve
- Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- California National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Fort Larned National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Fort Scott National Historic Site — National Historic Site
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see pelicans in Kansas?+
September is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through September, April and March, based on 568 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are pelicans hardest to see in Kansas?+
July is the quietest month for pelicans in Kansas, with only 16 verified records.
Are pelicans active year-round in Kansas?+
Pelicans are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Kansas, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in September.
More places to see pelicans
More wildlife in Kansas