Pelicans in Alabama in December
Yes, December is one of the best months to see pelicans in Alabama. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 241 of the 2,329 sightings logged across the year (10.3%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Peak month for pelicans in Alabama
10.3%
of yearly sightings
241
records in December
#3
busiest month of 12
2,329
verified records a year
November 10.9%, December 10.3%, January 10.2%. Busiest month is April at 12.5%.
2,329 verified observations of pelicans in Alabama, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When pelicans are recorded in Alabama
Peak month
April
290 records (12.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 237 | 10.2% |
| February | 199 | 8.5% |
| March | 220 | 9.4% |
| Aprilpeak | 290 | 12.5% |
| May | 202 | 8.7% |
| June | 164 | 7% |
| July | 107 | 4.6% |
| August | 102 | 4.4% |
| September | 132 | 5.7% |
| October | 182 | 7.8% |
| Novemberpeak | 253 | 10.9% |
| Decemberpeak | 241 | 10.3% |
Pelicans you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Brown Pelican | 1,754 |
| American White Pelican | 572 |
In Alabama, December carries 10.3% of the year's pelicans sightings, about 2 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity holds steady between November and December, and it heads toward January (10.2%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so December is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The pelicans most often recorded in Alabama are Brown Pelican and American White Pelican. Those counts are annual totals rather than a December split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in December itself.
Which pelicans you are most likely to see
- Brown Pelican1,754 records
- American White Pelican572 records
Plan your pelican trip in Alabama
Start with live tours near Horseshoe Bend National Military Park, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Horseshoe Bend National Military Park
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main pelican viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Horseshoe Bend National Military Park
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best pelican viewing area in Alabama.
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Broader backupBook a pelican tour in Alabama
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see pelicans in Alabama in December?+
Yes. December accounts for 241 of the 2,329 verified pelicans sightings logged in Alabama across the year, which is 10.3% of the annual total.
Is December a good time to see pelicans in Alabama?+
December is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of April, November and December.
What month is best for pelicans in Alabama?+
April is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through April, November and December, based on 2,329 verified observations.
Which pelicans are you most likely to see in Alabama?+
The most-recorded species in Alabama are Brown Pelican and American White Pelican, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See pelicans in Alabama in other months
More places to see pelicans
More wildlife in Alabama