Best Time to See Pelicans in Mississippi
January, April and December is the best time to see pelicans in Mississippi. Based on 851 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when pelicans are most active across the year in Mississippi.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Brown Pelican · Lauren McLaurin CC BY
American White Pelican · Jody Shugart CC BY
Brown Pelican · evangrimes CC BY
851 verified observations of pelicans in Mississippi, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When pelicans are recorded in Mississippi
Peak month
January
120 records (14.1% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 120 | 14.1% |
| February | 71 | 8.3% |
| March | 84 | 9.9% |
| Aprilpeak | 102 | 12% |
| May | 51 | 6% |
| June | 59 | 6.9% |
| July | 49 | 5.8% |
| August | 45 | 5.3% |
| September | 52 | 6.1% |
| October | 60 | 7.1% |
| November | 64 | 7.5% |
| Decemberpeak | 94 | 11% |
Pelicans you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Brown Pelican | 644 |
| American White Pelican | 206 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Mississippi
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when pelicans are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for pelicans sit around 40 to 74 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janbest time | 57°F | 40°F | 6" |
| Feb | 61°F | 42°F | 6.7" |
| Mar | 69°F | 49°F | 5.4" |
| Aprbest time | 74°F | 54°F | 7.5" |
| May | 82°F | 63°F | 4.9" |
| Jun | 89°F | 70°F | 4.5" |
| Jul | 90°F | 74°F | 6" |
| Aug | 90°F | 74°F | 5.7" |
| Sep | 88°F | 69°F | 2.8" |
| Oct | 77°F | 58°F | 4.3" |
| Nov | 66°F | 46°F | 2.9" |
| Decbest time | 61°F | 44°F | 5.6" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Mississippi. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on pelicans in Mississippi:
Sightings of pelicans in Mississippi peak in January, when 120 of the year's 851 verified observations are logged — about 14.1% of the annual total. Activity stays high through January, April and December.
The quietest stretch is August, July and May, when pelicans are hardest to find — August sees just 45 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The pelicans you are most likely to encounter in Mississippi are Brown Pelican and American White Pelican — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see pelicans in Mississippi
- Gulf Islands National Seashore — National Seashore
- Natchez Trace Parkway — Parkway
- Shiloh National Military Park — National Military Park
- Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield Site — National Battlefield Site
- Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument — National Monument
- Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument — National Monument
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see pelicans in Mississippi?+
January is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through January, April and December, based on 851 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are pelicans hardest to see in Mississippi?+
August is the quietest month for pelicans in Mississippi, with only 45 verified records.
Are pelicans active year-round in Mississippi?+
Pelicans are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Mississippi, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in January.
More places to see pelicans
More wildlife in Mississippi