Pelicans in Missouri in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see pelicans in Missouri. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 55 of the 539 sightings logged across the year (10.2%), 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 Missouri
10.2%
of yearly sightings
55
records in May
#3
busiest month of 12
539
verified records a year
April 16.5%, May 10.2%, June 5.6%. Busiest month is March at 18.7%.
539 verified observations of pelicans in Missouri, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When pelicans are recorded in Missouri
Peak month
March
101 records (18.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 14 | 2.6% |
| February | 49 | 9.1% |
| Marchpeak | 101 | 18.7% |
| Aprilpeak | 89 | 16.5% |
| Maypeak | 55 | 10.2% |
| June | 30 | 5.6% |
| July | 15 | 2.8% |
| August | 31 | 5.8% |
| September | 46 | 8.5% |
| October | 54 | 10% |
| November | 35 | 6.5% |
| December | 20 | 3.7% |
Pelicans you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| American White Pelican | 535 |
| Brown Pelican | 3 |
In Missouri, May carries 10.2% of the year's pelicans sightings, about 1.9 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 April (16.5%) into May, and it heads toward June (5.6%) 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 Missouri 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 Pelican535 records
- Brown Pelican3 records
Plan your pelican trip in Missouri
Start with live tours near George Washington Carver National Monument, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near George Washington Carver National Monument
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main pelican viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near George Washington Carver National Monument
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best pelican viewing area in Missouri.
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Broader backupBook a pelican tour in Missouri
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 Missouri in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 55 of the 539 verified pelicans sightings logged in Missouri across the year, which is 10.2% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see pelicans in Missouri?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of March, April and May.
What month is best for pelicans in Missouri?+
March is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through March, April and May, based on 539 verified observations.
Which pelicans are you most likely to see in Missouri?+
The most-recorded species in Missouri are American White Pelican and Brown Pelican, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See pelicans in Missouri in other months
More places to see pelicans
More wildlife in Missouri