Pelicans in Arkansas in December

Yes, December is one of the best months to see pelicans in Arkansas. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 52 of the 287 sightings logged across the year (18.1%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

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By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.

American White Pelican photographed in ArkansasAmerican White Pelican photographed in ArkansasAmerican White Pelican photographed in Arkansas
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Peak month for pelicans in Arkansas

18.1%

of yearly sightings

52

records in December

#1

busiest month of 12

287

verified records a year

November 13.9%, December 18.1%, January 11.5%. Busiest month is December at 18.1%.

Best months: December, November, February

287 verified observations of pelicans in Arkansas, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When pelicans are recorded in Arkansas

Peak month

December

52 records (18.1% of the year)

Quietest month

July

6 records

MonthObservationsShare
January3311.5%
Februarypeak3712.9%
March2910.1%
April258.7%
May113.8%
June72.4%
July62.1%
August62.1%
September93.1%
October3211.1%
Novemberpeak4013.9%
Decemberpeak5218.1%

Pelicans you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
American White Pelican286
Brown Pelican1

In Arkansas, December carries 18.1% of the year's pelicans sightings, about 9.8 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity is rising from November (13.9%) into December, and it heads toward January (11.5%) 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 Arkansas 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 Pelican286 records
  • Brown Pelican1 records
Plan your tripArkansas Post National Memorial

Plan your pelican trip in Arkansas

Start with live tours near Arkansas Post National Memorial, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.

Frequently asked questions

Can you see pelicans in Arkansas in December?+

Yes. December accounts for 52 of the 287 verified pelicans sightings logged in Arkansas across the year, which is 18.1% of the annual total.

Is December a good time to see pelicans in Arkansas?+

December is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of December, November and February.

What month is best for pelicans in Arkansas?+

December is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through December, November and February, based on 287 verified observations.

Which pelicans are you most likely to see in Arkansas?+

The most-recorded species in Arkansas are American White Pelican and Brown Pelican, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.