Pelicans in Missouri in March

Yes, March is one of the best months to see pelicans in Missouri. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 101 of the 539 sightings logged across the year (18.7%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

T

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.

Peak month for pelicans in Missouri

18.7%

of yearly sightings

101

records in March

#1

busiest month of 12

539

verified records a year

February 9.1%, March 18.7%, April 16.5%. 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, March carries 18.7% of the year's pelicans sightings, about 10.4 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity is rising from February (9.1%) into March, and it heads toward April (16.5%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so March is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.

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

Yes. March accounts for 101 of the 539 verified pelicans sightings logged in Missouri across the year, which is 18.7% of the annual total.

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

March is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of March, April and May.

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.