Pelicans in Montana in May
Yes, May is a good month to see pelicans in Montana. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 81 of the 491 sightings logged across the year (16.5%), 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.
Good month for pelicans in Montana
16.5%
of yearly sightings
81
records in May
#4
busiest month of 12
491
verified records a year
April 9.2%, May 16.5%, June 28.5%. Busiest month is June at 28.5%.
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)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 1 | 0.2% |
| March | 5 | 1% |
| April | 45 | 9.2% |
| May | 81 | 16.5% |
| Junepeak | 140 | 28.5% |
| Julypeak | 91 | 18.5% |
| Augustpeak | 85 | 17.3% |
| September | 31 | 6.3% |
| October | 6 | 1.2% |
| November | 2 | 0.4% |
| December | 4 | 0.8% |
Pelicans you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| American White Pelican | 491 |
In Montana, May carries 16.5% of the year's pelicans sightings, about 8.2 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 11 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (9.2%) into May, and it heads toward June (28.5%) after. The busiest month is June (28.5%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The pelicans most often recorded in Montana are American White 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 Pelican491 records
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.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Big Hole National Battlefield
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 Big Hole National Battlefield
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best pelican viewing area in Montana.
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Broader backupBook a pelican tour in Montana
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 Montana in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 81 of the 491 verified pelicans sightings logged in Montana across the year, which is 16.5% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see pelicans in Montana?+
May is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though June and July is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
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.
See pelicans in Montana in other months
More places to see pelicans
More wildlife in Montana