Pelicans in Oregon in August

Yes, August is one of the best months to see pelicans in Oregon. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 584 of the 3,736 sightings logged across the year (15.6%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

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By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.

American Bittern photographed in OregonGreat Blue Heron photographed in OregonBrown Pelican photographed in Oregon
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Peak month for pelicans in Oregon

15.6%

of yearly sightings

584

records in August

#1

busiest month of 12

3,736

verified records a year

July 13.7%, August 15.6%, September 14.6%. Busiest month is August at 15.6%.

Best months: August, June, September

3,736 verified observations of pelicans in Oregon, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When pelicans are recorded in Oregon

Peak month

August

584 records (15.6% of the year)

Quietest month

February

31 records

MonthObservationsShare
January571.5%
February310.8%
March932.5%
April3489.3%
May52414%
Junepeak55814.9%
July51313.7%
Augustpeak58415.6%
Septemberpeak54614.6%
October3178.5%
November1273.4%
December381%

Pelicans you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Brown Pelican1,993
American White Pelican1,737

In Oregon, August carries 15.6% of the year's pelicans sightings, about 7.3 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity is rising from July (13.7%) into August, and it heads toward September (14.6%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so August is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.

The pelicans most often recorded in Oregon are Brown Pelican and American White Pelican. Those counts are annual totals rather than a August split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in August itself.

Which pelicans you are most likely to see

  • Brown Pelican1,993 records
  • American White Pelican1,737 records
Plan your tripCrater Lake National Park

Plan your pelican trip in Oregon

Start with live tours near Crater Lake National Park, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.

Frequently asked questions

Can you see pelicans in Oregon in August?+

Yes. August accounts for 584 of the 3,736 verified pelicans sightings logged in Oregon across the year, which is 15.6% of the annual total.

Is August a good time to see pelicans in Oregon?+

August is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of August, June and September.

What month is best for pelicans in Oregon?+

August is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through August, June and September, based on 3,736 verified observations.

Which pelicans are you most likely to see in Oregon?+

The most-recorded species in Oregon are Brown Pelican and American White Pelican, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.