Pelicans in Louisiana in December
Yes, December is one of the best months to see pelicans in Louisiana. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 323 of the 2,233 sightings logged across the year (14.5%), 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 Louisiana
14.5%
of yearly sightings
323
records in December
#2
busiest month of 12
2,233
verified records a year
November 10%, December 14.5%, January 15.4%. Busiest month is January at 15.4%.
2,233 verified observations of pelicans in Louisiana, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When pelicans are recorded in Louisiana
Peak month
January
344 records (15.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 344 | 15.4% |
| February | 263 | 11.8% |
| March | 232 | 10.4% |
| Aprilpeak | 310 | 13.9% |
| May | 129 | 5.8% |
| June | 112 | 5% |
| July | 24 | 1.1% |
| August | 46 | 2.1% |
| September | 54 | 2.4% |
| October | 173 | 7.7% |
| November | 223 | 10% |
| Decemberpeak | 323 | 14.5% |
Pelicans you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Brown Pelican | 1,424 |
| American White Pelican | 806 |
In Louisiana, December carries 14.5% of the year's pelicans sightings, about 6.2 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 (10%) into December, and it heads toward January (15.4%) 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 Louisiana 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 Pelican1,424 records
- American White Pelican806 records
Plan your pelican trip in Louisiana
Start with live tours near Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve
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 Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best pelican viewing area in Louisiana.
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Broader backupBook a pelican tour in Louisiana
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 Louisiana in December?+
Yes. December accounts for 323 of the 2,233 verified pelicans sightings logged in Louisiana across the year, which is 14.5% of the annual total.
Is December a good time to see pelicans in Louisiana?+
December is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of January, December and April.
What month is best for pelicans in Louisiana?+
January is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through January, December and April, based on 2,233 verified observations.
Which pelicans are you most likely to see in Louisiana?+
The most-recorded species in Louisiana are Brown Pelican and American White Pelican, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See pelicans in Louisiana in other months
More places to see pelicans
More wildlife in Louisiana