Pelicans in Oregon in September

Yes, September is one of the best months to see pelicans in Oregon. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 546 of the 3,736 sightings logged across the year (14.6%), 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

14.6%

of yearly sightings

546

records in September

#3

busiest month of 12

3,736

verified records a year

August 15.6%, September 14.6%, October 8.5%. 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, September carries 14.6% of the year's pelicans sightings, about 6.3 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity holds steady between August and September, and it heads toward October (8.5%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so September 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 September split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in September 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 September?+

Yes. September accounts for 546 of the 3,736 verified pelicans sightings logged in Oregon across the year, which is 14.6% of the annual total.

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

September is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd 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.