Best Time to See Pelicans in Texas
January, November and December is the best time to see pelicans in Texas. Based on 23,421 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when pelicans are most active across the year in Texas.
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 · Public domain CC0
American White Pelican · Sam Kieschnick CC BY
American White Pelican · Nathan May CC BY
23,421 verified observations of pelicans in Texas, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When pelicans are recorded in Texas
Peak month
January
2,876 records (12.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 2,876 | 12.3% |
| February | 2,725 | 11.6% |
| March | 2,670 | 11.4% |
| April | 2,543 | 10.9% |
| May | 1,478 | 6.3% |
| June | 903 | 3.9% |
| July | 755 | 3.2% |
| August | 806 | 3.4% |
| September | 1,016 | 4.3% |
| October | 1,952 | 8.3% |
| Novemberpeak | 2,854 | 12.2% |
| Decemberpeak | 2,843 | 12.1% |
Pelicans you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Brown Pelican | 12,506 |
| American White Pelican | 10,890 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Texas
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 39 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janbest time | 60°F | 39°F | 0.9" |
| Feb | 60°F | 38°F | 1" |
| Mar | 71°F | 49°F | 1.7" |
| Apr | 78°F | 56°F | 1.6" |
| May | 85°F | 64°F | 5.1" |
| Jun | 93°F | 72°F | 1.7" |
| Jul | 96°F | 75°F | 0.9" |
| Aug | 96°F | 75°F | 1.2" |
| Sep | 89°F | 69°F | 1.7" |
| Oct | 80°F | 58°F | 2" |
| Novbest time | 67°F | 48°F | 1.1" |
| Decbest time | 64°F | 44°F | 1.2" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Texas. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of pelicans in Texas peak in January, when 2,876 of the year's 23,421 verified observations are logged — about 12.3% of the annual total. Activity stays high through January, November and December.
The quietest stretch is July, August and June, when pelicans are hardest to find — July sees just 755 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 Texas 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 Texas
- Amistad National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
- Big Bend National Park — National Park
- Big Thicket National Preserve — National Preserve
- Chamizal National Memorial — National Memorial
- Fort Davis National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Guadalupe Mountains National Park — National Park
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see pelicans in Texas?+
January is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through January, November and December, based on 23,421 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are pelicans hardest to see in Texas?+
July is the quietest month for pelicans in Texas, with only 755 verified records.
Are pelicans active year-round in Texas?+
Pelicans are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Texas, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in January.
More places to see pelicans
More wildlife in Texas