WhenToBird

American White Pelican · Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

When Do Pelicans Arrive in Kansas?

Adult American White Pelican
Photo: Craig K, CC BY 4.0 via iNaturalist

American White Pelicans are winter birds in Kansas: the first arrive in early July, they are common by late July, peak in early November (8.9% of checklists), and most are gone by late April. They are the only regular pelicans in Kansas.

When to look

First arrivalsJul 1-7early July
Common byJul 22-31late July
PeakNov 1-7early November
Most gone byApr 22-30late April

Best: early November. First arrivals early July; most are gone by late April. Peak: on about 8.9% of Kansas checklists.

  1. Jancommon
  2. Febuncommon
  3. Marcommon
  4. Aprcommon
  5. Mayuncommon
  6. Jununcommon
  7. Julcommon
  8. Augcommon
  9. Seppeak season
  10. Octpeak season
  11. Novpeak season
  12. Deccommon

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

Pelicans in Kansas, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
American White PelicanJul 1-7Jul 22-31Nov 1-7Apr 22-308.9%
0%5%10%American White PelicanJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
  • 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 Kansas 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 Kansas

Best counties for American White Pelican

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Kingman CountyBest the second week of November · 48 checklists that week, 1,697 in all54%
  2. Clay CountyBest mid September · 15 checklists that week, 663 in all52%
  3. Jefferson CountyBest the second week of October · 105 checklists that week, 6,538 in all48%
  4. Jewell CountyBest early September · 22 checklists that week, 612 in all47%
  5. Coffey CountyBest late September · 21 checklists that week, 1,497 in all46%
  6. Stafford CountyBest mid September · 102 checklists that week, 6,839 in all46%

Common questions

When do pelicans arrive in Kansas?
American White Pelicans are winter birds in Kansas: the first arrive in early July, they are common by late July, peak in early November (8.9% of checklists), and most are gone by late April. They are the only regular pelicans in Kansas.
When do pelicans leave Kansas?
Most American White Pelicans have left Kansas by late April, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until early May.
When is the best time to see pelicans in Kansas?
The American White Pelican is reported most often in early November, on about 8.9% of Kansas checklists.