Pelicans in Tennessee in May
Yes, May is a good month to see pelicans in Tennessee. It is the 7th busiest month of the year, with 38 of the 443 sightings logged across the year (8.6%), 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 Tennessee
8.6%
of yearly sightings
38
records in May
#7
busiest month of 12
443
verified records a year
April 4.3%, May 8.6%, June 2%. Busiest month is December at 17.4%.
443 verified observations of pelicans in Tennessee, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When pelicans are recorded in Tennessee
Peak month
December
77 records (17.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 62 | 14% |
| February | 48 | 10.8% |
| March | 39 | 8.8% |
| April | 19 | 4.3% |
| May | 38 | 8.6% |
| June | 9 | 2% |
| July | 5 | 1.1% |
| August | 5 | 1.1% |
| September | 22 | 5% |
| Octoberpeak | 63 | 14.2% |
| November | 56 | 12.6% |
| Decemberpeak | 77 | 17.4% |
Pelicans you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| American White Pelican | 432 |
| Brown Pelican | 11 |
In Tennessee, May carries 8.6% of the year's pelicans sightings, about 0.3 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 7th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (4.3%) into May, and it heads toward June (2%) after. The busiest month is December (17.4%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The pelicans most often recorded in Tennessee 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 Pelican432 records
- Brown Pelican11 records
Plan your pelican trip in Tennessee
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.
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Stay nearbyStay near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best pelican viewing area in Tennessee.
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Broader backupBook a pelican tour in Tennessee
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 Tennessee in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 38 of the 443 verified pelicans sightings logged in Tennessee across the year, which is 8.6% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see pelicans in Tennessee?+
May is the 7th busiest month. It is workable, though December and October is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for pelicans in Tennessee?+
December is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through December, October and January, based on 443 verified observations.
Which pelicans are you most likely to see in Tennessee?+
The most-recorded species in Tennessee are American White Pelican and Brown Pelican, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See pelicans in Tennessee in other months
More places to see pelicans
More wildlife in Tennessee