Pelicans in Missouri in February

Yes, February is a good month to see pelicans in Missouri. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 49 of the 539 sightings logged across the year (9.1%), 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 June 28, 2026.

American White Pelican photographed in MissouriAmerican White Pelican photographed in MissouriAmerican White Pelican photographed in Missouri
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Good month for pelicans in Missouri

9.1%

of yearly sightings

49

records in February

#5

busiest month of 12

539

verified records a year

January 2.6%, February 9.1%, March 18.7%. Busiest month is March at 18.7%.

Best months: March, April, May

539 verified observations of pelicans in Missouri, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When pelicans are recorded in Missouri

Peak month

March

101 records (18.7% of the year)

Quietest month

January

14 records

MonthObservationsShare
January142.6%
February499.1%
Marchpeak10118.7%
Aprilpeak8916.5%
Maypeak5510.2%
June305.6%
July152.8%
August315.8%
September468.5%
October5410%
November356.5%
December203.7%

Pelicans you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
American White Pelican535
Brown Pelican3

In Missouri, February carries 9.1% of the year's pelicans sightings, about 0.8 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 January (2.6%) into February, and it heads toward March (18.7%) after. The busiest month is March (18.7%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.

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

Which pelicans you are most likely to see

  • American White Pelican535 records
  • Brown Pelican3 records
Plan your tripGeorge Washington Carver National Monument

Plan your pelican trip in Missouri

Start with live tours near George Washington Carver National Monument, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.

Frequently asked questions

Can you see pelicans in Missouri in February?+

Yes. February accounts for 49 of the 539 verified pelicans sightings logged in Missouri across the year, which is 9.1% of the annual total.

Is February a good time to see pelicans in Missouri?+

February is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though March and April is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.

What month is best for pelicans in Missouri?+

March is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through March, April and May, based on 539 verified observations.

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

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