Pelicans in Tennessee in January
Yes, January is one of the best months to see pelicans in Tennessee. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 62 of the 443 sightings logged across the year (14%), 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 Tennessee
14%
of yearly sightings
62
records in January
#3
busiest month of 12
443
verified records a year
December 17.4%, January 14%, February 10.8%. Busiest month is December at 17.4%.
443 verified observations of pelicans in Tennessee, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When pelicans are recorded in Tennessee
Peak month
December
77 records (17.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 62 | 14% |
| February | 48 | 10.8% |
| March | 39 | 8.8% |
| April | 19 | 4.3% |
| May | 38 | 8.6% |
| June | 9 | 2% |
| July | 5 | 1.1% |
| August | 5 | 1.1% |
| September | 22 | 5% |
| Octoberpeak | 63 | 14.2% |
| November | 56 | 12.6% |
| Decemberpeak | 77 | 17.4% |
Pelicans you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| American White Pelican | 432 |
| Brown Pelican | 11 |
In Tennessee, January carries 14% of the year's pelicans sightings, about 5.7 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 easing off from December (17.4%) into January, and it heads toward February (10.8%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so January is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The pelicans most often recorded in Tennessee are American White Pelican and Brown Pelican. Those counts are annual totals rather than a January split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in January itself.
Which pelicans you are most likely to see
- American White Pelican432 records
- Brown Pelican11 records
Plan your pelican trip in Tennessee
Start with live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main pelican viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best pelican viewing area in Tennessee.
Viator
Broader backupBook a pelican tour in Tennessee
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 Tennessee in January?+
Yes. January accounts for 62 of the 443 verified pelicans sightings logged in Tennessee across the year, which is 14% of the annual total.
Is January a good time to see pelicans in Tennessee?+
January is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of December, October and January.
What month is best for pelicans in Tennessee?+
December is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through December, October and January, based on 443 verified observations.
Which pelicans are you most likely to see in Tennessee?+
The most-recorded species in Tennessee are American White Pelican and Brown Pelican, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See pelicans in Tennessee in other months
More places to see pelicans
More wildlife in Tennessee