Pelicans in Nevada in May
Yes, May is a good month to see pelicans in Nevada. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 69 of the 721 sightings logged across the year (9.6%), 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 Nevada
9.6%
of yearly sightings
69
records in May
#4
busiest month of 12
721
verified records a year
April 10%, May 9.6%, June 12.2%. Busiest month is March at 14.3%.
721 verified observations of pelicans in Nevada, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When pelicans are recorded in Nevada
Peak month
March
103 records (14.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 52 | 7.2% |
| February | 61 | 8.5% |
| Marchpeak | 103 | 14.3% |
| Aprilpeak | 72 | 10% |
| May | 69 | 9.6% |
| Junepeak | 88 | 12.2% |
| July | 65 | 9% |
| August | 53 | 7.4% |
| September | 38 | 5.3% |
| October | 54 | 7.5% |
| November | 30 | 4.2% |
| December | 36 | 5% |
Pelicans you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| American White Pelican | 718 |
| Brown Pelican | 2 |
In Nevada, May carries 9.6% of the year's pelicans sightings, about 1.3 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity holds steady between April and May, and it heads toward June (12.2%) after. The busiest month is March (14.3%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The pelicans most often recorded in Nevada 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 Pelican718 records
- Brown Pelican2 records
Plan your pelican trip in Nevada
Start with live tours near Death Valley National Park, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Death Valley National Park
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main pelican viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Death Valley National Park
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best pelican viewing area in Nevada.
Viator
Broader backupBook a pelican tour in Nevada
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 Nevada in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 69 of the 721 verified pelicans sightings logged in Nevada across the year, which is 9.6% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see pelicans in Nevada?+
May is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though March and June is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for pelicans in Nevada?+
March is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through March, June and April, based on 721 verified observations.
Which pelicans are you most likely to see in Nevada?+
The most-recorded species in Nevada are American White Pelican and Brown Pelican, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See pelicans in Nevada in other months
More places to see pelicans
More wildlife in Nevada