6 Best Places to See Pelicans in Maryland
Yes, there are pelicans in Maryland. The brown pelican is the one you are most likely to see, mainly in summer and early fall along the Atlantic coast near Ocean City and Assateague, and increasingly inside the Chesapeake Bay as the species expands north and nests on low bay islands. The American white pelican shows up too, but only as a rare migrant passing through. The best places to see pelicans in Maryland are the coastal and bay routes where habitat, season, and safe access line up. Start with the locations below, compare live tour options when they exist, and use the linked wildlife guide for timing and field context.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Brown Pelican · Public domain CC0
Brown Pelican · Tom Field CC BY
Brown Pelican · Public domain CC0
- 2
- species recorded
- 29,052
- GBIF records
- 6
- birding hotspots
- August, July, June
- peak months
Yes, pelicans are in Maryland. Next you'll want:
What pelican sound like
Verified field recordings from Xeno-canto. Press play to hear the calls birders listen for in the field.
American White Pelican · wing noise
0:08Flagstaff Lake, Lake County, Oregon · © Bruce Lagerquist CC BY-NC-SA · XC486233
Brown Pelican · begging call
0:47Suncoast Seabird Sancturary, Pinellas Co., Florida · © Andrew Spencer CC BY-NC-ND · XC102120
American White Pelican · wing noise
0:18Browns Lake, Beltrami Island State Forest, Lake of the Woods Co., Minnesota · © Andrew Spencer CC BY-NC-ND · XC104394
Verified species, source iNaturalist
2 types of pelicans recorded in Maryland
2 pelican species have a verified observation record in Maryland, each with at least 10 confirmed sightings. The full list, ranked by how often each is recorded, is below.
1
2
Counts from verified iNaturalist observations. Photos by iNaturalist observers, reused under the licence each observer chose.
Real sighting data, source iNaturalist
842 verified observations on iNaturalist of pelican have been recorded in Maryland, most often in August, July, June.
When pelican are recorded in Maryland
Yes, there are pelicans in Maryland. The brown pelican is the one you are most likely to see, mainly in summer and early fall along the Atlantic coast near Ocean City and Assateague, and increasingly inside the Chesapeake Bay as the species expands north and nests on low bay islands. The American white pelican shows up too, but only as a rare migrant passing through. The best places to see pelicans in Maryland are the coastal and bay routes where habitat, season, and safe access line up. Start with the locations below, compare live tour options when they exist, and use the linked wildlife guide for timing and field context.
1. Assateague Island
Assateague Island is one of the strongest starting points for pelicans in Maryland because it gives travelers a real place to plan around instead of a vague wildlife promise. Treat this stop as a field route: check access rules before you go, look for recent local reports, and plan your day around wetland boardwalks, quiet marsh launches, water levels, early light, and guide knowledge of protected habitat. The best sightings usually come from patient observation rather than rushing between viewpoints. Arrive early, keep distance, stay on marked access routes, and avoid crowding animals or blocking other travelers. If you are comparing paid options, look for operators that explain where the route starts, how long you spend in the field, how they handle weather, and whether they describe wildlife sightings with realistic language. For this route, pair thetrip planner for pelican in Marylandwithall wildlife tours in Marylandso you can compare the exact animal page against nearby wildlife options. Then open thesupporting wildlife guidefor habitat and timing notes before deciding whether Assateague Island fits your dates. This is especially useful when the best trip is not a single animal-only booking. In many places, the better choice is a broader boat, refuge, park, photography, or scenic route that puts you in the right habitat at the right time. Use Assateague Island as a practical planning anchor, then compare the live route signals, season, and travel distance before committing.
2. Ocean City
Ocean City is one of the strongest starting points for pelicans in Maryland because it gives travelers a real place to plan around instead of a vague wildlife promise. Treat this stop as a field route: check access rules before you go, look for recent local reports, and plan your day around wetland boardwalks, quiet marsh launches, water levels, early light, and guide knowledge of protected habitat. The best sightings usually come from patient observation rather than rushing between viewpoints. Arrive early, keep distance, stay on marked access routes, and avoid crowding animals or blocking other travelers. If you are comparing paid options, look for operators that explain where the route starts, how long you spend in the field, how they handle weather, and whether they describe wildlife sightings with realistic language. For this route, pair thetrip planner for pelican in Marylandwithall wildlife tours in Marylandso you can compare the exact animal page against nearby wildlife options. Then open thesupporting wildlife guidefor habitat and timing notes before deciding whether Ocean City fits your dates. This is especially useful when the best trip is not a single animal-only booking. In many places, the better choice is a broader boat, refuge, park, photography, or scenic route that puts you in the right habitat at the right time. Use Ocean City as a practical planning anchor, then compare the live route signals, season, and travel distance before committing.
3. Chesapeake Bay
Chesapeake Bay is one of the strongest starting points for pelicans in Maryland because it gives travelers a real place to plan around instead of a vague wildlife promise. Treat this stop as a field route: check access rules before you go, look for recent local reports, and plan your day around wetland boardwalks, quiet marsh launches, water levels, early light, and guide knowledge of protected habitat. The best sightings usually come from patient observation rather than rushing between viewpoints. Arrive early, keep distance, stay on marked access routes, and avoid crowding animals or blocking other travelers. If you are comparing paid options, look for operators that explain where the route starts, how long you spend in the field, how they handle weather, and whether they describe wildlife sightings with realistic language. For this route, pair thetrip planner for pelican in Marylandwithall wildlife tours in Marylandso you can compare the exact animal page against nearby wildlife options. Then open thesupporting wildlife guidefor habitat and timing notes before deciding whether Chesapeake Bay fits your dates. This is especially useful when the best trip is not a single animal-only booking. In many places, the better choice is a broader boat, refuge, park, photography, or scenic route that puts you in the right habitat at the right time. Use Chesapeake Bay as a practical planning anchor, then compare the live route signals, season, and travel distance before committing.
4. Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge
Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge is one of the strongest starting points for pelicans in Maryland because it gives travelers a real place to plan around instead of a vague wildlife promise. Treat this stop as a field route: check access rules before you go, look for recent local reports, and plan your day around wetland boardwalks, quiet marsh launches, water levels, early light, and guide knowledge of protected habitat. The best sightings usually come from patient observation rather than rushing between viewpoints. Arrive early, keep distance, stay on marked access routes, and avoid crowding animals or blocking other travelers. If you are comparing paid options, look for operators that explain where the route starts, how long you spend in the field, how they handle weather, and whether they describe wildlife sightings with realistic language. For this route, pair thetrip planner for pelican in Marylandwithall wildlife tours in Marylandso you can compare the exact animal page against nearby wildlife options. Then open thesupporting wildlife guidefor habitat and timing notes before deciding whether Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge fits your dates. This is especially useful when the best trip is not a single animal-only booking. In many places, the better choice is a broader boat, refuge, park, photography, or scenic route that puts you in the right habitat at the right time. Use Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge as a practical planning anchor, then compare the live route signals, season, and travel distance before committing.
5. Catoctin Mountain
Catoctin Mountain is one of the strongest starting points for pelicans in Maryland because it gives travelers a real place to plan around instead of a vague wildlife promise. Treat this stop as a field route: check access rules before you go, look for recent local reports, and plan your day around wetland boardwalks, quiet marsh launches, water levels, early light, and guide knowledge of protected habitat. The best sightings usually come from patient observation rather than rushing between viewpoints. Arrive early, keep distance, stay on marked access routes, and avoid crowding animals or blocking other travelers. If you are comparing paid options, look for operators that explain where the route starts, how long you spend in the field, how they handle weather, and whether they describe wildlife sightings with realistic language. For this route, pair thetrip planner for pelican in Marylandwithall wildlife tours in Marylandso you can compare the exact animal page against nearby wildlife options. Then open thesupporting wildlife guidefor habitat and timing notes before deciding whether Catoctin Mountain fits your dates. This is especially useful when the best trip is not a single animal-only booking. In many places, the better choice is a broader boat, refuge, park, photography, or scenic route that puts you in the right habitat at the right time. Use Catoctin Mountain as a practical planning anchor, then compare the live route signals, season, and travel distance before committing.
6. Patuxent refuge
Patuxent refuge is one of the strongest starting points for pelicans in Maryland because it gives travelers a real place to plan around instead of a vague wildlife promise. Treat this stop as a field route: check access rules before you go, look for recent local reports, and plan your day around wetland boardwalks, quiet marsh launches, water levels, early light, and guide knowledge of protected habitat. The best sightings usually come from patient observation rather than rushing between viewpoints. Arrive early, keep distance, stay on marked access routes, and avoid crowding animals or blocking other travelers. If you are comparing paid options, look for operators that explain where the route starts, how long you spend in the field, how they handle weather, and whether they describe wildlife sightings with realistic language. For this route, pair thetrip planner for pelican in Marylandwithall wildlife tours in Marylandso you can compare the exact animal page against nearby wildlife options. Then open thesupporting wildlife guidefor habitat and timing notes before deciding whether Patuxent refuge fits your dates. This is especially useful when the best trip is not a single animal-only booking. In many places, the better choice is a broader boat, refuge, park, photography, or scenic route that puts you in the right habitat at the right time. Use Patuxent refuge as a practical planning anchor, then compare the live route signals, season, and travel distance before committing.
What pelican species live in Maryland?
Maryland has two pelican species, and they are very different in how often you see them. The brown pelican is the regular one. It is a coastal bird that has been expanding its range northward, and it now appears along the Atlantic shore and inside the lower Chesapeake Bay during the warmer months. Small numbers nest on isolated, low bay islands such as Spring Island, where colony birds are protected from disturbance. The American white pelican is the second species, and it is a rare migrant rather than a resident. A few birds turn up most years, usually during spring and fall movement, often pausing on open water or large impoundments before continuing on. If you came to Maryland hoping to see a pelican, plan around the brown pelican first because it is far more predictable, and treat any white pelican sighting as a lucky bonus. For identification help and behavior notes, open theanimal facts page, and for broader state context use theMaryland wildlife hub.
How do you tell a brown pelican from an American white pelican?
Telling Maryland's two pelicans apart is mostly about color, size, and how they feed. The brown pelican is grayish brown overall with a paler head, and adults in breeding condition show a richer neck pattern. It feeds by plunge diving, folding its wings and dropping into the water from the air to scoop up fish. You will usually see it near salt water along the coast or in the lower bay. The American white pelican is much larger and bright white with black flight feathers that show clearly when it flies. It does not plunge dive. Instead, white pelicans often feed in groups, swimming together and dipping their bills to herd and catch fish on the surface. In Maryland the white pelican is the rarer of the two, so if you see a big white bird with a heavy orange bill on open water during migration, take a second look. Watching feeding style is often the fastest way to separate them at a distance when color is hard to judge in flat light.
Where and when are you most likely to see pelicans in Maryland?
For brown pelicans, the coast is the most reliable area and summer into early fall is the best window. The waters off Ocean City and Assateague Island, the inlets, and the lower Chesapeake Bay near river mouths and bay islands are the places brown pelicans use to feed and loaf. Numbers usually build through summer as birds move north after breeding farther south, then thin out as cooler weather arrives. Inside the bay, watch for them resting on pilings, sandbars, and channel markers, and feeding where bait fish concentrate. For American white pelicans, there is no dependable spot. They appear as scattered migrants on open water and large freshwater impoundments, mostly during spring and fall, so local birding reports are the best way to chase one. Either way, calm mornings and the hours around an incoming tide tend to put more birds in view. Check theMaryland wildlife hubfor nearby species and thepelican wildlife guidefor current habitat notes before you choose a date.
Are pelicans protected in Maryland?
Yes. Both the brown pelican and the American white pelican are protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which makes it illegal to harm, capture, or disturb the birds, their nests, or their eggs. Brown pelicans were once listed as endangered after pesticide damage thinned their eggshells, and their recovery is one reason they are now spreading north into Maryland waters. Nesting colonies on bay islands are especially sensitive, because a single disturbance can flush adults and expose eggs or chicks to heat and predators. If you visit during the breeding season, keep well back from any island colony, stay in your boat or on marked access where required, and never land on or approach a posted nesting site. Giving the birds space is both the law and the reason future visitors will keep seeing pelicans here.
How to plan a realistic Maryland pelican trip
A good Maryland pelican plan starts with season and access, not with the first available listing. Check whether the animal is most active at dawn, dusk, during migration, near water, along forest edges, or around protected viewing areas. Then match that timing to the route style. Some pelicans pages work best with a guided outing, while others work better as a self-guided stop paired with nearby wildlife tours. Use thestate wildlife hubwhen you want broader animal context, and use theanimal facts pagewhen you need identification or behavior notes before the trip. If a route includes a boat, long drive, gravel road, trail, or remote meeting point, check total time in the field and cancellation rules carefully. For families, comfort and safety usually matter more than squeezing in one more stop. For photographers, light direction and viewing distance may matter more than raw animal density. For first-time visitors, the best page is the one that helps you make a calm, realistic plan.
Can you guarantee seeing pelicans on these routes?
No. Wildlife pages should never promise sightings. These locations improve your planning odds because they match known habitat and practical travel access, but animals move with weather, food, season, and disturbance. Brown pelicans are seasonal here, and white pelicans are rare, so choose operators and viewing areas that set realistic expectations.
Plan your trip
Best time to see pelican in Maryland: August, July, June
See the month-by-month sighting calendar.
Plan your pelican sighting in Maryland
29,052 verified pelican records have been logged in Maryland, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in Maryland
- Antietam National Battlefield · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Assateague Island National Seashore · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Chesapeake Bay · Wildlife Watching · Find hotels
- Assateague Island National Seashore (please use more specific location) · 356 species recorded
- Point Lookout State Park · 310 species recorded
- Sandy Point State Park · 310 species recorded
- Hart-Miller Island · 309 species recorded
- Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge · 306 species recorded
- Assateague State Park · 302 species recorded
Birding hotspots via eBird (Cornell Lab).
Frequently asked questions
What pelican species live in Maryland?+
Maryland has two pelican species, and they are very different in how often you see them. The brown pelican is the regular one. It is a coastal bird that has been expanding its range northward, and it now appears along the Atlantic shore and inside the lower Chesapeake Bay during the warmer months. Small numbers nest on isolated, low bay islands such as Spring Island, where colony birds are protected from disturbance. The American white pelican is the second species, and it is a rare migrant rather than a resident. A few birds turn up most years, usually during spring and fall movement, often pausing on open water or large impoundments before continuing on. If you came to Maryland hoping to see a pelican, plan around the brown pelican first because it is far more predictable, and treat any white pelican sighting as a lucky bonus. For identification help and behavior notes, open theanimal facts page, and for broader state context use theMaryland wildlife hub.
Where can you see pelicans in Maryland?+
Maryland has two pelican species, and they are very different in how often you see them. The brown pelican is the regular one. It is a coastal bird that has been expanding its range northward, and it now appears along the Atlantic shore and inside the lower Chesapeake Bay during the warmer months. Small numbers nest on isolated, low bay islands such as Spring Island, where colony birds are protected from disturbance. The American white pelican is the second species, and it is a rare migrant rather than a resident. A few birds turn up most years, usually during spring and fall movement, often pausing on open water or large impoundments before continuing on. If you came to Maryland hoping to see a pelican, plan around the brown pelican first because it is far more predictable, and treat any white pelican sighting as a lucky bonus. For identification help and behavior notes, open theanimal facts page, and for broader state context use theMaryland wildlife hub.
When is the best time to see pelicans in Maryland?+
Maryland has two pelican species, and they are very different in how often you see them. The brown pelican is the regular one. It is a coastal bird that has been expanding its range northward, and it now appears along the Atlantic shore and inside the lower Chesapeake Bay during the warmer months. Small numbers nest on isolated, low bay islands such as Spring Island, where colony birds are protected from disturbance. The American white pelican is the second species, and it is a rare migrant rather than a resident. A few birds turn up most years, usually during spring and fall movement, often pausing on open water or large impoundments before continuing on. If you came to Maryland hoping to see a pelican, plan around the brown pelican first because it is far more predictable, and treat any white pelican sighting as a lucky bonus. For identification help and behavior notes, open theanimal facts page, and for broader state context use theMaryland wildlife hub.
Keep exploring
More places to see pelican
More wildlife in Maryland