Pelicans in Michigan in June

Yes, June is one of the best months to see pelicans in Michigan. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 73 of the 390 sightings logged across the year (18.7%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

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By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.

American White Pelican photographed in MichiganAmerican White Pelican photographed in MichiganAmerican White Pelican photographed in Michigan
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Peak month for pelicans in Michigan

18.7%

of yearly sightings

73

records in June

#2

busiest month of 12

390

verified records a year

May 25.1%, June 18.7%, July 13.8%. Busiest month is May at 25.1%.

Best months: May, June, April

390 verified observations of pelicans in Michigan, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When pelicans are recorded in Michigan

Peak month

May

98 records (25.1% of the year)

Quietest month

January

4 records

MonthObservationsShare
January41%
February61.5%
March112.8%
Aprilpeak6015.4%
Maypeak9825.1%
Junepeak7318.7%
July5413.8%
August369.2%
September225.6%
October174.4%
November41%
December51.3%

Pelicans you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
American White Pelican376
Brown Pelican14

In Michigan, June carries 18.7% of the year's pelicans sightings, about 10.4 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity is easing off from May (25.1%) into June, and it heads toward July (13.8%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so June is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.

The pelicans most often recorded in Michigan are American White Pelican and Brown Pelican. Those counts are annual totals rather than a June split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in June itself.

Which pelicans you are most likely to see

  • American White Pelican376 records
  • Brown Pelican14 records
Plan your tripIsle Royale National Park

Plan your pelican trip in Michigan

Start with live tours near Isle Royale National Park, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.

Frequently asked questions

Can you see pelicans in Michigan in June?+

Yes. June accounts for 73 of the 390 verified pelicans sightings logged in Michigan across the year, which is 18.7% of the annual total.

Is June a good time to see pelicans in Michigan?+

June is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of May, June and April.

What month is best for pelicans in Michigan?+

May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, June and April, based on 390 verified observations.

Which pelicans are you most likely to see in Michigan?+

The most-recorded species in Michigan are American White Pelican and Brown Pelican, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.