When do pelicans leave Idaho?

Most American White Pelicans have left Idaho by mid October, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until mid November.

When is the best time to see pelicans in Idaho?

The American White Pelican is reported most often in early September, on about 8.6% of Idaho checklists.

American White Pelican · Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

When Do Pelicans Arrive in Idaho?

Photo: Craig K, CC BY 4.0 via iNaturalist

American White Pelicans reach Idaho in the second week of March, are common by late March, peak in early September (8.6% of checklists), and most are gone by mid October. They are the only regular pelicans in Idaho.

When to look

First arrivalsMar 8-14the second week of March

Common byMar 22-31late March

PeakSep 1-7early September

Most gone byOct 15-21mid October

Best: early September. First arrivals the second week of March; most are gone by mid October. Peak: on about 8.6% of Idaho checklists.

Janrare
Febrare
Marcommon
Aprpeak season
Maycommon
Junpeak season
Julpeak season
Augpeak season
Seppeak season
Octcommon
Novuncommon
Decrare

Darker months: more checklists report it. Outlined: peak month.

Pelicans in Idaho, species by species

Species	First arrivals	Common by	Peak	Most gone by	Peak %
American White Pelican	Mar 8-14	Mar 22-31	Sep 1-7	Oct 15-21	8.6%

American White Pelican

Share of complete checklists reporting each species, by week (4 per month). Gaps: fewer than 10 checklists that week.

Frequency is the share of complete checklists in Idaho that listed the bird, 2016–2025. It is not a head count, and it follows where and when people go birding. How to read it.

Where in Idaho

Best counties for American White Pelican

Share of checklists at the peak

Power CountyBest mid September · 88 checklists that week, 2,278 in all77%
Minidoka CountyBest late September · 38 checklists that week, 1,365 in all66%
Jerome CountyBest late March · 17 checklists that week, 804 in all54%
Gooding CountyBest mid April · 129 checklists that week, 3,207 in all50%
Owyhee CountyBest the second week of September · 95 checklists that week, 7,837 in all43%
Fremont CountyBest the second week of May · 136 checklists that week, 5,201 in all33%

Common questions

When do pelicans arrive in Idaho?: American White Pelicans reach Idaho in the second week of March, are common by late March, peak in early September (8.6% of checklists), and most are gone by mid October. They are the only regular pelicans in Idaho.
When do pelicans leave Idaho?: Most American White Pelicans have left Idaho by mid October, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until mid November.
When is the best time to see pelicans in Idaho?: The American White Pelican is reported most often in early September, on about 8.6% of Idaho checklists.