WhenToBird

American White Pelican · Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

When Do Pelicans Arrive in Utah?

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

American White Pelicans reach Utah in mid January, are common by mid March, peak in late April (13% of checklists), and most are gone by late October. They are the only regular pelicans in Utah.

When to look

First arrivalsJan 15-21mid January
Common byMar 15-21mid March
PeakApr 22-30late April
Most gone byOct 22-31late October

Best: late April. First arrivals mid January; most are gone by late October. Peak: on about 13% of Utah checklists.

  1. Janrare
  2. Febuncommon
  3. Marcommon
  4. Aprpeak season
  5. Maypeak season
  6. Juncommon
  7. Julcommon
  8. Augcommon
  9. Seppeak season
  10. Octcommon
  11. Novuncommon
  12. Decrare

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

Pelicans in Utah, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
American White PelicanJan 15-21Mar 15-21Apr 22-30Oct 22-3113%
0%5%10%15%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 Utah 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 Utah

Best counties for American White Pelican

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Piute CountyBest the second week of September · 21 checklists that week, 1,035 in all41%
  2. Box Elder CountyBest early May · 252 checklists that week, 9,867 in all31%
  3. Utah CountyBest late April · 2769 checklists that week, 70,971 in all30%
  4. Davis CountyBest mid June · 681 checklists that week, 39,952 in all27%
  5. Wasatch CountyBest mid April · 165 checklists that week, 7,780 in all20%
  6. Summit CountyBest late April · 364 checklists that week, 13,829 in all19%

Common questions

When do pelicans arrive in Utah?
American White Pelicans reach Utah in mid January, are common by mid March, peak in late April (13% of checklists), and most are gone by late October. They are the only regular pelicans in Utah.
When do pelicans leave Utah?
Most American White Pelicans have left Utah by late October, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until early December.
When is the best time to see pelicans in Utah?
The American White Pelican is reported most often in late April, on about 13% of Utah checklists.