When do pelicans leave Missouri?

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

When is the best time to see pelicans in Missouri?

The American White Pelican is reported most often in late March, on about 5.5% of Missouri checklists.

American White Pelican · Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

When Do Pelicans Arrive in Missouri?

Photo: Craig K, CC BY 4.0 via iNaturalist

American White Pelicans are winter birds in Missouri: the first arrive in late June, they are common by the second week of July, peak in late March (5.5% of checklists), and most are gone by late May. They are the only regular pelicans in Missouri.

When to look

First arrivalsJun 22-30late June

Common byJul 8-14the second week of July

PeakMar 22-31late March

Most gone byMay 22-31late May

Best: late March. First arrivals late June; most are gone by late May. Peak: on about 5.5% of Missouri checklists.

Januncommon
Febcommon
Marpeak season
Aprpeak season
Mayuncommon
Jununcommon
Julcommon
Augcommon
Seppeak season
Octpeak season
Novpeak season
Deccommon

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

Pelicans in Missouri, species by species

Species	First arrivals	Common by	Peak	Most gone by	Peak %
American White Pelican	Jun 22-30	Jul 8-14	Mar 22-31	May 22-31	5.5%

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 Missouri 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 Missouri

Best counties for American White Pelican

Share of checklists at the peak

Monroe CountyBest mid September · 53 checklists that week, 1,048 in all82%
Polk CountyBest late September · 34 checklists that week, 1,429 in all67%
Henry CountyBest early October · 56 checklists that week, 2,306 in all55%
Macon CountyBest early October · 33 checklists that week, 1,377 in all45%
Vernon CountyBest late September · 18 checklists that week, 1,443 in all44%
Randolph CountyBest early October · 22 checklists that week, 838 in all44%

Common questions

When do pelicans arrive in Missouri?: American White Pelicans are winter birds in Missouri: the first arrive in late June, they are common by the second week of July, peak in late March (5.5% of checklists), and most are gone by late May. They are the only regular pelicans in Missouri.
When do pelicans leave Missouri?: Most American White Pelicans have left Missouri by late May, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until the second week of June.
When is the best time to see pelicans in Missouri?: The American White Pelican is reported most often in late March, on about 5.5% of Missouri checklists.