When do pelicans leave Oregon?

Most Brown Pelicans have left Oregon by early November, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until the second week of November.

When is the best time to see pelicans in Oregon?

The Brown Pelican is reported most often in early September, on about 7.2% of Oregon checklists.

Which pelicans are in Oregon?

Brown Pelican and American White Pelican are reported regularly; the Brown Pelican is the most common.

2 pelican species in Oregon

When Do Pelicans Arrive in Oregon?

Photo: Henrik Kibak, CC BY 4.0 via iNaturalist

Brown Pelicans and American White Pelicans are the pelicans you are most likely to see in Oregon. Brown Pelicans reach Oregon in late April, are common by mid June, peak in early September (7.2% of checklists), and most are gone by early November.

When to look

First arrivalsApr 22-30late April

Common byJun 15-21mid June

PeakSep 1-7early September

Most gone byNov 1-7early November

Best: early September. First arrivals late April; most are gone by early November. Peak: on about 7.2% of Oregon checklists.

Jannot usually seen
Febnot usually seen
Marnot usually seen
Apruncommon
Mayuncommon
Juncommon
Julpeak season
Augpeak season
Seppeak season
Octcommon
Novuncommon
Decnot usually seen

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

Pelicans in Oregon, species by species

Species	First arrivals	Common by	Peak	Most gone by	Peak %
Brown Pelican	Apr 22-30	Jun 15-21	Sep 1-7	Nov 1-7	7.2%
American White Pelican	Mar 15-21	Apr 1-7	Sep 1-7	Nov 1-7	6.1%

Brown Pelican
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 Oregon 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 Oregon

Best counties for Brown Pelican

Share of checklists at the peak

Clatsop CountyBest the second week of August · 1077 checklists that week, 44,300 in all45%
Lincoln CountyBest mid September · 1265 checklists that week, 66,994 in all43%
Tillamook CountyBest early September · 938 checklists that week, 45,809 in all41%
Curry CountyBest early August · 294 checklists that week, 12,513 in all35%
Coos CountyBest mid September · 648 checklists that week, 24,368 in all26%
Douglas CountyBest early September · 346 checklists that week, 17,976 in all5.3%

Common questions

When do pelicans arrive in Oregon?: Brown Pelicans reach Oregon in late April, are common by mid June, peak in early September (7.2% of checklists), and most are gone by early November.
When do pelicans leave Oregon?: Most Brown Pelicans have left Oregon by early November, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until the second week of November.
When is the best time to see pelicans in Oregon?: The Brown Pelican is reported most often in early September, on about 7.2% of Oregon checklists.
Which pelicans are in Oregon?: Brown Pelican and American White Pelican are reported regularly; the Brown Pelican is the most common.