When do pelicans leave Nebraska?

Most American White Pelicans have left Nebraska 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 Nebraska?

The American White Pelican is reported most often in the second week of April, on about 10% of Nebraska checklists.

American White Pelican · Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

When Do Pelicans Arrive in Nebraska?

Photo: Craig K, CC BY 4.0 via iNaturalist

American White Pelicans reach Nebraska in late February, are common by early March, peak in the second week of April (10% of checklists), and most are gone by late November. They are the only regular pelicans in Nebraska.

When to look

First arrivalsFeb 22-28late February

Common byMar 1-7early March

PeakApr 8-14the second week of April

Most gone byNov 22-30late November

Best: the second week of April. First arrivals late February; most are gone by late November. Peak: on about 10% of Nebraska checklists.

Janrare
Febrare
Marcommon
Aprpeak season
Maycommon
Jununcommon
Juluncommon
Augcommon
Seppeak season
Octcommon
Novcommon
Decuncommon

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

Pelicans in Nebraska, species by species

Species	First arrivals	Common by	Peak	Most gone by	Peak %
American White Pelican	Feb 22-28	Mar 1-7	Apr 8-14	Nov 22-30	10%

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 Nebraska 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 Nebraska

Best counties for American White Pelican

Share of checklists at the peak

Harlan CountyBest early October · 17 checklists that week, 1,276 in all63%
Keith CountyBest the second week of April · 56 checklists that week, 3,876 in all51%
Frontier CountyBest late March · 25 checklists that week, 529 in all50%
Hitchcock CountyBest early April · 16 checklists that week, 441 in all45%
Garfield CountyBest early October · 21 checklists that week, 366 in all43%
Cedar CountyBest mid April · 24 checklists that week, 1,691 in all41%

Common questions

When do pelicans arrive in Nebraska?: American White Pelicans reach Nebraska in late February, are common by early March, peak in the second week of April (10% of checklists), and most are gone by late November. They are the only regular pelicans in Nebraska.
When do pelicans leave Nebraska?: Most American White Pelicans have left Nebraska 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 Nebraska?: The American White Pelican is reported most often in the second week of April, on about 10% of Nebraska checklists.