Pelicans in Texas in December
Yes, December is one of the best months to see pelicans in Texas. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 2,843 of the 23,421 sightings logged across the year (12.1%), 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 Texas
12.1%
of yearly sightings
2,843
records in December
#3
busiest month of 12
23,421
verified records a year
November 12.2%, December 12.1%, January 12.3%. Busiest month is January at 12.3%.
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 |
In Texas, December carries 12.1% of the year's pelicans sightings, about 3.8 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 holds steady between November and December, and it heads toward January (12.3%) 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 Texas 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 Pelican12,506 records
- American White Pelican10,890 records
Plan your pelican trip in Texas
Start with live tours near Amistad National Recreation Area, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Amistad National Recreation Area
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main pelican viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Amistad National Recreation Area
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best pelican viewing area in Texas.
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Broader backupBook a pelican tour in Texas
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 Texas in December?+
Yes. December accounts for 2,843 of the 23,421 verified pelicans sightings logged in Texas across the year, which is 12.1% of the annual total.
Is December a good time to see pelicans in Texas?+
December is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of January, November and December.
What month is best for pelicans in Texas?+
January is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through January, November and December, based on 23,421 verified observations.
Which pelicans are you most likely to see in Texas?+
The most-recorded species in Texas are Brown Pelican and American White Pelican, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See pelicans in Texas in other months
More places to see pelicans