Pelicans in Arkansas in October

Yes, October is a good month to see pelicans in Arkansas. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 32 of the 287 sightings logged across the year (11.1%), 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.

Good month for pelicans in Arkansas

11.1%

of yearly sightings

32

records in October

#5

busiest month of 12

287

verified records a year

September 3.1%, October 11.1%, November 13.9%. 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, October carries 11.1% of the year's pelicans sightings, about 2.8 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 5th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity is rising from September (3.1%) into October, and it heads toward November (13.9%) after. The busiest month is December (18.1%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.

The pelicans most often recorded in Arkansas are American White Pelican and Brown Pelican. Those counts are annual totals rather than a October split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in October 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 October?+

Yes. October accounts for 32 of the 287 verified pelicans sightings logged in Arkansas across the year, which is 11.1% of the annual total.

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

October is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though December and November is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.

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.