Pelicans in Arizona in December
Yes, December is one of the best months to see pelicans in Arizona. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 199 of the 1,049 sightings logged across the year (19%), 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 Arizona
19%
of yearly sightings
199
records in December
#2
busiest month of 12
1,049
verified records a year
November 15.6%, December 19%, January 19.5%. Busiest month is January at 19.5%.
1,049 verified observations of pelicans in Arizona, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When pelicans are recorded in Arizona
Peak month
January
205 records (19.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 205 | 19.5% |
| February | 123 | 11.7% |
| March | 90 | 8.6% |
| April | 70 | 6.7% |
| May | 41 | 3.9% |
| June | 10 | 1% |
| July | 9 | 0.9% |
| August | 22 | 2.1% |
| September | 29 | 2.8% |
| October | 87 | 8.3% |
| Novemberpeak | 164 | 15.6% |
| Decemberpeak | 199 | 19% |
Pelicans you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| American White Pelican | 961 |
| Brown Pelican | 88 |
In Arizona, December carries 19% of the year's pelicans sightings, about 10.7 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from November (15.6%) into December, and it heads toward January (19.5%) 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 Arizona are American White Pelican and Brown 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
- American White Pelican961 records
- Brown Pelican88 records
Plan your pelican trip in Arizona
Start with live tours near Chiricahua National Monument, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Chiricahua National Monument
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 Chiricahua National Monument
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best pelican viewing area in Arizona.
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Broader backupBook a pelican tour in Arizona
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 Arizona in December?+
Yes. December accounts for 199 of the 1,049 verified pelicans sightings logged in Arizona across the year, which is 19% of the annual total.
Is December a good time to see pelicans in Arizona?+
December is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of January, December and November.
What month is best for pelicans in Arizona?+
January is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through January, December and November, based on 1,049 verified observations.
Which pelicans are you most likely to see in Arizona?+
The most-recorded species in Arizona are American White Pelican and Brown Pelican, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See pelicans in Arizona in other months
More places to see pelicans
More wildlife in Arizona