Pelicans in Oregon in May
Yes, May is a good month to see pelicans in Oregon. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 524 of the 3,736 sightings logged across the year (14%), 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 Oregon
14%
of yearly sightings
524
records in May
#4
busiest month of 12
3,736
verified records a year
April 9.3%, May 14%, June 14.9%. Busiest month is August at 15.6%.
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)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 57 | 1.5% |
| February | 31 | 0.8% |
| March | 93 | 2.5% |
| April | 348 | 9.3% |
| May | 524 | 14% |
| Junepeak | 558 | 14.9% |
| July | 513 | 13.7% |
| Augustpeak | 584 | 15.6% |
| Septemberpeak | 546 | 14.6% |
| October | 317 | 8.5% |
| November | 127 | 3.4% |
| December | 38 | 1% |
Pelicans you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Brown Pelican | 1,993 |
| American White Pelican | 1,737 |
In Oregon, May carries 14% of the year's pelicans sightings, about 5.7 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 is rising from April (9.3%) into May, and it heads toward June (14.9%) after. The busiest month is August (15.6%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The pelicans most often recorded in Oregon are Brown Pelican and 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
- Brown Pelican1,993 records
- American White Pelican1,737 records
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.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Crater Lake 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 Crater Lake National Park
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best pelican viewing area in Oregon.
Viator
Broader backupBook a pelican tour in Oregon
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 Oregon in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 524 of the 3,736 verified pelicans sightings logged in Oregon across the year, which is 14% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see pelicans in Oregon?+
May is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though August and June is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
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.
See pelicans in Oregon in other months
More places to see pelicans
More wildlife in Oregon