Pelicans in Virginia in December
Yes, December is a good month to see pelicans in Virginia. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 124 of the 1,415 sightings logged across the year (8.8%), 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.
Good month for pelicans in Virginia
8.8%
of yearly sightings
124
records in December
#4
busiest month of 12
1,415
verified records a year
November 6.7%, December 8.8%, January 7.6%. Busiest month is March at 13.8%.
1,415 verified observations of pelicans in Virginia, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When pelicans are recorded in Virginia
Peak month
March
195 records (13.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 108 | 7.6% |
| Februarypeak | 133 | 9.4% |
| Marchpeak | 195 | 13.8% |
| Aprilpeak | 147 | 10.4% |
| May | 108 | 7.6% |
| June | 103 | 7.3% |
| July | 105 | 7.4% |
| August | 101 | 7.1% |
| September | 106 | 7.5% |
| October | 90 | 6.4% |
| November | 95 | 6.7% |
| December | 124 | 8.8% |
Pelicans you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Brown Pelican | 1,248 |
| American White Pelican | 160 |
In Virginia, December carries 8.8% of the year's pelicans sightings, about 0.5 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from November (6.7%) into December, and it heads toward January (7.6%) after. The busiest month is March (13.8%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The pelicans most often recorded in Virginia 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 Pelican1,248 records
- American White Pelican160 records
Plan your pelican trip in Virginia
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.
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Stay nearbyStay near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best pelican viewing area in Virginia.
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Broader backupBook a pelican tour in Virginia
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 Virginia in December?+
Yes. December accounts for 124 of the 1,415 verified pelicans sightings logged in Virginia across the year, which is 8.8% of the annual total.
Is December a good time to see pelicans in Virginia?+
December is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though March and April is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for pelicans in Virginia?+
March is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through March, April and February, based on 1,415 verified observations.
Which pelicans are you most likely to see in Virginia?+
The most-recorded species in Virginia are Brown Pelican and American White Pelican, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See pelicans in Virginia in other months
More places to see pelicans
More wildlife in Virginia