Pelicans in Michigan in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see pelicans in Michigan. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 98 of the 390 sightings logged across the year (25.1%), 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 Michigan
25.1%
of yearly sightings
98
records in May
#1
busiest month of 12
390
verified records a year
April 15.4%, May 25.1%, June 18.7%. Busiest month is May at 25.1%.
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)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 4 | 1% |
| February | 6 | 1.5% |
| March | 11 | 2.8% |
| Aprilpeak | 60 | 15.4% |
| Maypeak | 98 | 25.1% |
| Junepeak | 73 | 18.7% |
| July | 54 | 13.8% |
| August | 36 | 9.2% |
| September | 22 | 5.6% |
| October | 17 | 4.4% |
| November | 4 | 1% |
| December | 5 | 1.3% |
Pelicans you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| American White Pelican | 376 |
| Brown Pelican | 14 |
In Michigan, May carries 25.1% of the year's pelicans sightings, about 16.8 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (15.4%) into May, and it heads toward June (18.7%) 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 Michigan 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 Pelican376 records
- Brown Pelican14 records
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.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Isle Royale National Park
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main pelican viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Isle Royale National Park
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best pelican viewing area in Michigan.
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Broader backupBook a pelican tour in Michigan
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 Michigan in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 98 of the 390 verified pelicans sightings logged in Michigan across the year, which is 25.1% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see pelicans in Michigan?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 1st 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.
See pelicans in Michigan in other months
More places to see pelicans
More wildlife in Michigan