WhenToBird

Brown Pelican · Pelecanus occidentalis

When Do Pelicans Arrive in Virginia?

Adult male Brown Pelican
Photo: Henrik Kibak, CC BY 4.0 via iNaturalist

Brown Pelicans are winter birds in Virginia: the first arrive in the second week of May, they are common by late June, peak in the second week of November (4.4% of checklists), and most are gone by early April. They are the only regular pelicans in Virginia.

When to look

First arrivalsMay 8-14the second week of May
Common byJun 22-30late June
PeakNov 8-14the second week of November
Most gone byApr 1-7early April

Best: the second week of November. First arrivals the second week of May; most are gone by early April. Peak: on about 4.4% of Virginia checklists.

  1. Jancommon
  2. Febcommon
  3. Marcommon
  4. Aprcommon
  5. Maycommon
  6. Juncommon
  7. Julcommon
  8. Augpeak season
  9. Sepcommon
  10. Octcommon
  11. Novpeak season
  12. Deccommon

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

Pelicans in Virginia, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Brown PelicanMay 8-14Jun 22-30Nov 8-14Apr 1-74.4%
0%2%4%6%Brown PelicanJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
  • Brown 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 Virginia 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 Virginia

Best counties for Brown Pelican

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Hampton CountyBest mid November · 124 checklists that week, 9,881 in all47%
  2. Norfolk CountyBest the second week of December · 295 checklists that week, 21,204 in all41%
  3. Poquoson CountyBest the second week of November · 48 checklists that week, 2,669 in all33%
  4. Northampton CountyBest the second week of August · 336 checklists that week, 27,227 in all31%
  5. Virginia Beach CountyBest mid July · 751 checklists that week, 70,485 in all31%
  6. Surry CountyBest the second week of March · 77 checklists that week, 2,669 in all31%

Common questions

When do pelicans arrive in Virginia?
Brown Pelicans are winter birds in Virginia: the first arrive in the second week of May, they are common by late June, peak in the second week of November (4.4% of checklists), and most are gone by early April. They are the only regular pelicans in Virginia.
When do pelicans leave Virginia?
Most Brown Pelicans have left Virginia by early April, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until the second week of April.
When is the best time to see pelicans in Virginia?
The Brown Pelican is reported most often in the second week of November, on about 4.4% of Virginia checklists.