Pelicans in South Dakota in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see pelicans in South Dakota. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 104 of the 444 sightings logged across the year (23.4%), 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 South Dakota
23.4%
of yearly sightings
104
records in May
#2
busiest month of 12
444
verified records a year
April 24.8%, May 23.4%, June 17.1%. Busiest month is April at 24.8%.
444 verified observations of pelicans in South Dakota, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When pelicans are recorded in South Dakota
Peak month
April
110 records (24.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1 | 0.2% |
| February | 1 | 0.2% |
| March | 19 | 4.3% |
| Aprilpeak | 110 | 24.8% |
| Maypeak | 104 | 23.4% |
| Junepeak | 76 | 17.1% |
| July | 47 | 10.6% |
| August | 38 | 8.6% |
| September | 31 | 7% |
| October | 10 | 2.3% |
| November | 5 | 1.1% |
| December | 2 | 0.5% |
Pelicans you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| American White Pelican | 442 |
| Brown Pelican | 2 |
In South Dakota, May carries 23.4% of the year's pelicans sightings, about 15.1 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from April (24.8%) into May, and it heads toward June (17.1%) 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 South Dakota 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 Pelican442 records
- Brown Pelican2 records
Plan your pelican trip in South Dakota
Start with live tours near Badlands 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 Badlands 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 Badlands National Park
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best pelican viewing area in South Dakota.
Viator
Broader backupBook a pelican tour in South Dakota
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 South Dakota in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 104 of the 444 verified pelicans sightings logged in South Dakota across the year, which is 23.4% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see pelicans in South Dakota?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of April, May and June.
What month is best for pelicans in South Dakota?+
April is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through April, May and June, based on 444 verified observations.
Which pelicans are you most likely to see in South Dakota?+
The most-recorded species in South Dakota are American White Pelican and Brown Pelican, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See pelicans in South Dakota in other months
More places to see pelicans
More wildlife in South Dakota