(Pelacanus erythrirhynchos)
The American White Pelican is one of North America’s largest birds – 62” long with a 9 1/2’ wingspread and weighing 10-17 lbs. These large waterbirds have heavy wide bodies, huge bills and short stout legs with 4 webbed toes. Pelicans ride high in the water with their winds folded loosely over their back. They are graceful strong fliers, flying in groups with their heads held back on their shoulders, heron-style. They fly in flocks, usually in lines, but often in a “V” formation, soaring to great heights in unison. When flying into the wind pelicans will skim the tops of waves where small updrafts from the waves give them enough lift to fly steadily. To become airborne without wind they must run across the water flapping their huge wings and beating the water with both feet.
Fishing: They do not dive underwater for fish as Brown Pelicans do. When fishing individually, they spot the fish from the air then land feet first, plunging their head under the water to grab the fish. White Pelicans practice a form of cooperative fishing — groups of 4-5 birds will swim abreast in a semi-circle, gliding towards shore, then create a commotion by flapping wings and splashing which drives the fish into shallow water where they are easily caught sot he birds can then swallow the fish.
Habitat: They enjoy large shallow open bodies of water filled with fish and flat islets for nesting.
Nests: Nests are crude, sometimes merely a depression in the ground or a mound of dirt and debris, usually 24-36” across and 15-20” high. They build nests in colonies on islands in saltwater and freshwater lakes.
Eggs: They lay 2 whitish eggs.
Voice: Generally silent except in breeding colonies where they utter low grumbling noises.
Note: They are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty.