When do pelicans leave Indiana?

Most American White Pelicans have left Indiana by late April, when reports fall below half their usual rate.

When is the best time to see pelicans in Indiana?

The American White Pelican is reported most often in early April, on about 4.9% of Indiana checklists.

American White Pelican · Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

When Do Pelicans Arrive in Indiana?

Photo: Craig K, CC BY 4.0 via iNaturalist

American White Pelicans arrive in Indiana in mid February, peak in early April (4.9% of checklists), and most are gone by late April. They are the only regular pelicans in Indiana.

When to look

First arrivalsFeb 15-21mid February

Common byFeb 15-21mid February

PeakApr 1-7early April

Most gone byApr 22-30late April

Best: early April. First arrivals mid February; most are gone by late April. Peak: on about 4.9% of Indiana checklists.

Janrare
Febcommon
Marpeak season
Aprpeak season
Mayrare
Junrare
Juluncommon
Auguncommon
Sepcommon
Octcommon
Novcommon
Decrare

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

Pelicans in Indiana, species by species

Species	First arrivals	Common by	Peak	Most gone by	Peak %
American White Pelican	Feb 15-21	Feb 15-21	Apr 1-7	Apr 22-30	4.9%

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 Indiana 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 Indiana

Best counties for American White Pelican

Share of checklists at the peak

Greene CountyBest early April · 449 checklists that week, 17,518 in all34%
Miami CountyBest mid March · 14 checklists that week, 1,203 in all33%
Sullivan CountyBest late October · 64 checklists that week, 4,018 in all33%
Gibson CountyBest the second week of September · 202 checklists that week, 10,754 in all29%
Brown CountyBest the second week of March · 42 checklists that week, 5,917 in all29%
Union CountyBest late March · 139 checklists that week, 4,811 in all23%

Common questions

When do pelicans arrive in Indiana?: American White Pelicans arrive in Indiana in mid February, peak in early April (4.9% of checklists), and most are gone by late April. They are the only regular pelicans in Indiana.
When do pelicans leave Indiana?: Most American White Pelicans have left Indiana by late April, when reports fall below half their usual rate.
When is the best time to see pelicans in Indiana?: The American White Pelican is reported most often in early April, on about 4.9% of Indiana checklists.