Pelicans in Minnesota in June

Yes, June is one of the best months to see pelicans in Minnesota. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 333 of the 1,938 sightings logged across the year (17.2%), 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 MinnesotaAmerican White Pelican photographed in MinnesotaAmerican White Pelican photographed in Minnesota
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Peak month for pelicans in Minnesota

17.2%

of yearly sightings

333

records in June

#3

busiest month of 12

1,938

verified records a year

May 20%, June 17.2%, July 10%. Busiest month is April at 24.4%.

Best months: April, May, June

1,938 verified observations of pelicans in Minnesota, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When pelicans are recorded in Minnesota

Peak month

April

472 records (24.4% of the year)

Quietest month

December

11 records

MonthObservationsShare
January140.7%
February140.7%
March321.7%
Aprilpeak47224.4%
Maypeak38720%
Junepeak33317.2%
July19310%
August1578.1%
September20910.8%
October884.5%
November281.4%
December110.6%

Pelicans you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
American White Pelican1,938

In Minnesota, June carries 17.2% of the year's pelicans sightings, about 8.9 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 May (20%) into June, and it heads toward July (10%) 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 Minnesota are American White 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 Pelican1,938 records
Plan your tripGrand Portage National Monument

Plan your pelican trip in Minnesota

Start with live tours near Grand Portage National Monument, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.

Frequently asked questions

Can you see pelicans in Minnesota in June?+

Yes. June accounts for 333 of the 1,938 verified pelicans sightings logged in Minnesota across the year, which is 17.2% of the annual total.

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

June is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of April, May and June.

What month is best for pelicans in Minnesota?+

April is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through April, May and June, based on 1,938 verified observations.

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

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