WhenToBird

2 pelican species in Washington

When Do Pelicans Arrive in Washington?

Adult male Brown Pelican
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 Washington. Brown Pelicans arrive in Washington in the second week of July, peak in early September (3.5% of checklists), and most are gone by the second week of October.

When to look

First arrivalsJul 8-14the second week of July
Common byJul 8-14the second week of July
PeakSep 1-7early September
Most gone byOct 8-14the second week of October

Best: early September. First arrivals the second week of July; most are gone by the second week of October. Peak: on about 3.5% of Washington checklists.

  1. Jannot usually seen
  2. Febnot usually seen
  3. Marnot usually seen
  4. Aprrare
  5. Mayrare
  6. Jununcommon
  7. Julcommon
  8. Augpeak season
  9. Seppeak season
  10. Octcommon
  11. Novuncommon
  12. Decnot usually seen

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

Pelicans in Washington, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Brown PelicanJul 8-14Jul 8-14Sep 1-7Oct 8-143.5%
American White PelicanApr 1-7Apr 8-14Jul 1-7Oct 15-212.7%
0%1%2%3%4%Brown PelicanAmerican White PelicanJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
  • 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 Washington 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 Washington

Best counties for Brown Pelican

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Pacific CountyBest the second week of September · 476 checklists that week, 19,516 in all53%
  2. Grays Harbor CountyBest early September · 971 checklists that week, 28,443 in all52%
  3. Clallam CountyBest the second week of September · 1887 checklists that week, 85,362 in all7.1%
  4. Jefferson CountyBest the second week of September · 1168 checklists that week, 59,663 in all5.0%
  5. Mason CountyBest the second week of September · 486 checklists that week, 27,853 in all1.6%
  6. Snohomish CountyBest mid October · 2049 checklists that week, 131,467 in all1.4%

Common questions

When do pelicans arrive in Washington?
Brown Pelicans arrive in Washington in the second week of July, peak in early September (3.5% of checklists), and most are gone by the second week of October.
When do pelicans leave Washington?
Most Brown Pelicans have left Washington by the second week of October, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until mid October.
When is the best time to see pelicans in Washington?
The Brown Pelican is reported most often in early September, on about 3.5% of Washington checklists.
Which pelicans are in Washington?
Brown Pelican and American White Pelican are reported regularly; the Brown Pelican is the most common.