American White Pelican
Taken at the falls in the town of American Falls, Idaho
The American white pelican rivals the trumpeter swan, with a similar overall length, as the longest bird native to North America. Both very large and plump, it has an overall length of about 50–70 in., courtesy of the huge beak which measures 11.3–15.2 in. in males and 10.3–14.2 in. in females. It has a wingspan of about 95–120 in. The species also has the second largest average wingspan of any North American bird, after the California condor. This large wingspan allows the bird to easily use soaring flight for migration. Body weight can range between 7.7 and 30 pounds.
American White Pelican
Taken at the falls in the town of American Falls, Idaho
The American white pelican rivals the trumpeter swan, with a similar overall length, as the longest bird native to North America. Both very large and plump, it has an overall length of about 50–70 in., courtesy of the huge beak which measures 11.3–15.2 in. in males and 10.3–14.2 in. in females. It has a wingspan of about 95–120 in. The species also has the second largest average wingspan of any North American bird, after the California condor. This large wingspan allows the bird to easily use soaring flight for migration. Body weight can range between 7.7 and 30 pounds.