When do pelicans leave Illinois?

Most American White Pelicans have left Illinois by late November, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until the second week of December.

When is the best time to see pelicans in Illinois?

The American White Pelican is reported most often in early April, on about 5.7% of Illinois checklists.

American White Pelican · Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

When Do Pelicans Arrive in Illinois?

Photo: Craig K, CC BY 4.0 via iNaturalist

American White Pelicans reach Illinois in the second week of February, are common by late February, peak in early April (5.7% of checklists), and most are gone by late November. They are the only regular pelicans in Illinois.

When to look

First arrivalsFeb 8-14the second week of February

Common byFeb 22-28late February

PeakApr 1-7early April

Most gone byNov 22-30late November

Best: early April. First arrivals the second week of February; most are gone by late November. Peak: on about 5.7% of Illinois checklists.

Januncommon
Febuncommon
Marpeak season
Aprpeak season
Mayuncommon
Jununcommon
Julcommon
Augcommon
Sepcommon
Octcommon
Novcommon
Decuncommon

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

Pelicans in Illinois, species by species

Species	First arrivals	Common by	Peak	Most gone by	Peak %
American White Pelican	Feb 8-14	Feb 22-28	Apr 1-7	Nov 22-30	5.7%

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 Illinois 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 Illinois

Best counties for American White Pelican

Share of checklists at the peak

Putnam CountyBest the second week of October · 121 checklists that week, 3,333 in all78%
Moultrie CountyBest early October · 19 checklists that week, 1,367 in all77%
Fulton CountyBest early September · 171 checklists that week, 5,877 in all66%
Wayne CountyBest mid October · 12 checklists that week, 394 in all61%
Mason CountyBest the second week of August · 211 checklists that week, 5,020 in all61%
Calhoun CountyBest early September · 24 checklists that week, 786 in all58%

Common questions

When do pelicans arrive in Illinois?: American White Pelicans reach Illinois in the second week of February, are common by late February, peak in early April (5.7% of checklists), and most are gone by late November. They are the only regular pelicans in Illinois.
When do pelicans leave Illinois?: Most American White Pelicans have left Illinois by late November, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until the second week of December.
When is the best time to see pelicans in Illinois?: The American White Pelican is reported most often in early April, on about 5.7% of Illinois checklists.