American White Pelican

AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

With a large white body, wide wings, and an elongated beak, the American White Pelican is hard to miss. Hiding beneath their broad bodies, are short legs and square-shaped tails. While they appear to be perfectly white, when they spread their wings black feathers can be seen on the tips.

Feeding from the water’s surface, they must dip their beaks into the water to catch their prey, usually fish. Although they are large in size, they are often seen traveling in large flocks, soaring through the sky.

FIELD NOTES: They never carry food in their bills, contrary to popular cartoons.