Best Time to See Pelicans in New Mexico
April, October and September is the best time to see pelicans in New Mexico. Based on 337 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when pelicans are most active across the year in New Mexico.
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 · Teresa Jegelewicz Mayfield-Meyer CC BY
American White Pelican · gabbieb CC BY
American White Pelican · Bob Nieman CC BY
337 verified observations of pelicans in New Mexico, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When pelicans are recorded in New Mexico
Peak month
April
60 records (17.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 13 | 3.9% |
| February | 13 | 3.9% |
| March | 23 | 6.8% |
| Aprilpeak | 60 | 17.8% |
| May | 30 | 8.9% |
| June | 22 | 6.5% |
| July | 20 | 5.9% |
| August | 16 | 4.7% |
| Septemberpeak | 40 | 11.9% |
| Octoberpeak | 42 | 12.5% |
| November | 30 | 8.9% |
| December | 28 | 8.3% |
Pelicans you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| American White Pelican | 325 |
| Brown Pelican | 12 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in New Mexico
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when pelicans are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for pelicans sit around 42 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 44°F | 26°F | 0.6" |
| Feb | 47°F | 26°F | 0.8" |
| Mar | 57°F | 34°F | 1" |
| Aprbest time | 68°F | 42°F | 0.4" |
| May | 76°F | 51°F | 0.5" |
| Jun | 84°F | 60°F | 1.1" |
| Jul | 87°F | 65°F | 1" |
| Aug | 84°F | 63°F | 1.2" |
| Sepbest time | 79°F | 57°F | 0.9" |
| Octbest time | 67°F | 44°F | 0.9" |
| Nov | 56°F | 35°F | 0.7" |
| Dec | 47°F | 29°F | 0.6" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for New Mexico. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on pelicans in New Mexico:
Sightings of pelicans in New Mexico peak in April, when 60 of the year's 337 verified observations are logged — about 17.8% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, October and September.
The quietest stretch is January, February and August, when pelicans are hardest to find — January sees just 13 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The pelicans you are most likely to encounter in New Mexico are American White Pelican and Brown Pelican — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see pelicans in New Mexico
- Bandelier National Monument — National Monument
- Capulin Volcano National Monument — National Monument
- Carlsbad Caverns National Park — National Park
- El Malpais National Monument — National Monument
- El Morro National Monument — National Monument
- Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument — National Monument
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see pelicans in New Mexico?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, October and September, based on 337 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are pelicans hardest to see in New Mexico?+
January is the quietest month for pelicans in New Mexico, with only 13 verified records.
Are pelicans active year-round in New Mexico?+
Pelicans are recorded in 12 of 12 months in New Mexico, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More places to see pelicans
More wildlife in New Mexico