Pelicans in Mississippi in December
Yes, December is one of the best months to see pelicans in Mississippi. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 94 of the 851 sightings logged across the year (11%), 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 Mississippi
11%
of yearly sightings
94
records in December
#3
busiest month of 12
851
verified records a year
November 7.5%, December 11%, January 14.1%. Busiest month is January at 14.1%.
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 |
In Mississippi, December carries 11% of the year's pelicans sightings, about 2.7 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from November (7.5%) into December, and it heads toward January (14.1%) 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 Mississippi 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 Pelican644 records
- American White Pelican206 records
Plan your pelican trip in Mississippi
Start with live tours near Gulf Islands National Seashore, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Gulf Islands National Seashore
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 Gulf Islands National Seashore
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best pelican viewing area in Mississippi.
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Broader backupBook a pelican tour in Mississippi
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 Mississippi in December?+
Yes. December accounts for 94 of the 851 verified pelicans sightings logged in Mississippi across the year, which is 11% of the annual total.
Is December a good time to see pelicans in Mississippi?+
December is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of January, April and December.
What month is best for pelicans in Mississippi?+
January is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through January, April and December, based on 851 verified observations.
Which pelicans are you most likely to see in Mississippi?+
The most-recorded species in Mississippi are Brown Pelican and American White Pelican, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See pelicans in Mississippi in other months
More places to see pelicans
More wildlife in Mississippi