Pelicans in Nebraska in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see pelicans in Nebraska. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 58 of the 357 sightings logged across the year (16.2%), 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 Nebraska
16.2%
of yearly sightings
58
records in May
#2
busiest month of 12
357
verified records a year
April 24.9%, May 16.2%, June 12.3%. Busiest month is April at 24.9%.
357 verified observations of pelicans in Nebraska, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When pelicans are recorded in Nebraska
Peak month
April
89 records (24.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2 | 0.6% |
| February | 1 | 0.3% |
| Marchpeak | 44 | 12.3% |
| Aprilpeak | 89 | 24.9% |
| Maypeak | 58 | 16.2% |
| June | 44 | 12.3% |
| July | 36 | 10.1% |
| August | 21 | 5.9% |
| September | 24 | 6.7% |
| October | 24 | 6.7% |
| November | 9 | 2.5% |
| December | 5 | 1.4% |
Pelicans you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| American White Pelican | 357 |
In Nebraska, May carries 16.2% of the year's pelicans sightings, about 7.9 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from April (24.9%) into May, and it heads toward June (12.3%) 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 Nebraska 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 Pelican357 records
Plan your pelican trip in Nebraska
Start with live tours near Agate Fossil Beds 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 Agate Fossil Beds National Monument
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main pelican viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Agate Fossil Beds National Monument
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best pelican viewing area in Nebraska.
Viator
Broader backupBook a pelican tour in Nebraska
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 Nebraska in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 58 of the 357 verified pelicans sightings logged in Nebraska across the year, which is 16.2% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see pelicans in Nebraska?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of April, May and March.
What month is best for pelicans in Nebraska?+
April is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through April, May and March, based on 357 verified observations.
Which pelicans are you most likely to see in Nebraska?+
The most-recorded species in Nebraska are American White Pelican, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See pelicans in Nebraska in other months
More places to see pelicans
More wildlife in Nebraska