American White Pelican

Overview

The American white pelican is a large aquatic soaring bird from the order Pelecaniformes. It is classified as a Species of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List and is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.

Identification

• Almost entirely bright white plumage, except for black primary and secondary remiges which are visible in flight; the breast has a yellowish hue from early spring until after breeding.
• Very large and plump body with an overall length of 50–70 in (130–180 cm) and a wingspan of 95–120 in (240–300 cm).
• Huge, flat-topped bill with a large throat sac; vivid orange in the breeding season, accompanied by a unique keratinous 'horn' on the upper bill in both sexes.
• Immature birds possess light grey plumage with a darker brownish nape and dull grey bare parts.

Habitat

This species breeds in colonies on islands in remote brackish and freshwater lakes across interior North America, moving to the coasts of the Pacific and Gulf of Mexico as far south as Costa Rica in winter. In winter quarters, they prefer estuaries, bays, and lakes rather than the open seashore, and they cross deserts and mountains but avoid the open ocean during migration.

Diet

Unlike brown pelicans, American white pelicans do not dive for food but catch prey while swimming, consuming more than four pounds of food daily. They typically eat fish such as carp, minnows, perch, trout, and salmon, as well as crayfish and amphibians. They often gather in groups to cooperate in corralling fish, though they may forage alone in deep water or engage in kleptoparasitism by stealing food from other birds.

Did you know?

The American white pelican is the only one of the eight pelican species to grow a laterally flattened keratinous 'horn' on its upper bill during the breeding season. This conspicuous growth is shed after the birds have mated and laid their eggs.