Pelicans in New York in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see pelicans in New York. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 22 of the 183 sightings logged across the year (12%), 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 New York
12%
of yearly sightings
22
records in May
#3
busiest month of 12
183
verified records a year
April 3.3%, May 12%, June 7.7%. Busiest month is September at 21.3%.
183 verified observations of pelicans in New York, recorded across 10 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When pelicans are recorded in New York
Peak month
September
39 records (21.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 7 | 3.8% |
| February | 0 | 0% |
| March | 0 | 0% |
| April | 6 | 3.3% |
| Maypeak | 22 | 12% |
| June | 14 | 7.7% |
| Julypeak | 36 | 19.7% |
| August | 15 | 8.2% |
| Septemberpeak | 39 | 21.3% |
| October | 20 | 10.9% |
| November | 15 | 8.2% |
| December | 9 | 4.9% |
Pelicans you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| American White Pelican | 110 |
| Brown Pelican | 73 |
In New York, May carries 12% of the year's pelicans sightings, about 3.7 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 10 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (3.3%) into May, and it heads toward June (7.7%) 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 New York 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 Pelican110 records
- Brown Pelican73 records
Plan your pelican trip in New York
Start with live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main pelican viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best pelican viewing area in New York.
Viator
Broader backupBook a pelican tour in New York
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 New York in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 22 of the 183 verified pelicans sightings logged in New York across the year, which is 12% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see pelicans in New York?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of September, July and May.
What month is best for pelicans in New York?+
September is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through September, July and May, based on 183 verified observations.
Which pelicans are you most likely to see in New York?+
The most-recorded species in New York are American White Pelican and Brown Pelican, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See pelicans in New York in other months
More places to see pelicans