Pelicans in Montana in July

Yes, July is one of the best months to see pelicans in Montana. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 91 of the 491 sightings logged across the year (18.5%), 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 MontanaAmerican White Pelican photographed in MontanaAmerican White Pelican photographed in Montana
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Peak month for pelicans in Montana

18.5%

of yearly sightings

91

records in July

#2

busiest month of 12

491

verified records a year

June 28.5%, July 18.5%, August 17.3%. Busiest month is June at 28.5%.

Best months: June, July, AugustPeak season right now

491 verified observations of pelicans in Montana, recorded across 11 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When pelicans are recorded in Montana

Peak month

June

140 records (28.5% of the year)

Quietest month

January

No verified records

MonthObservationsShare
January00%
February10.2%
March51%
April459.2%
May8116.5%
Junepeak14028.5%
Julypeak9118.5%
Augustpeak8517.3%
September316.3%
October61.2%
November20.4%
December40.8%

Pelicans you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
American White Pelican491

In Montana, July carries 18.5% of the year's pelicans sightings, about 10.2 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 11 months with recorded activity.

Activity is easing off from June (28.5%) into July, and it heads toward August (17.3%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so July is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.

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

Which pelicans you are most likely to see

  • American White Pelican491 records
Plan your tripBig Hole National Battlefield

Plan your pelican trip in Montana

Start with live tours near Big Hole National Battlefield, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.

Frequently asked questions

Can you see pelicans in Montana in July?+

Yes. July accounts for 91 of the 491 verified pelicans sightings logged in Montana across the year, which is 18.5% of the annual total.

Is July a good time to see pelicans in Montana?+

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

What month is best for pelicans in Montana?+

June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, July and August, based on 491 verified observations.

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

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