American White Pelicans

JN Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge

Sanibel Island, Florida

USA

 

My last white pelican image from Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge.

 

The American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) is one of the largest birds in North America, with a 9-foot wingspan. Similar to Brown Pelican in shape but much larger, and very different in habits:

 

Occurs far inland, feeds cooperatively in shallow lakes, does not dive from the air for fish. Despite its great size, a spectacular flier, with flocks often soaring very high in the air, ponderously wheeling and circling in unison. a large aquatic soaring bird from the order Pelecaniformes.

 

It breeds in interior North America, moving south and to the coasts, as far as Central America and South America, in winter.

 

Forages by swimming on surface, dipping bill into water and scooping up fish in pouch. During breeding season does much foraging at night, locating fish by touch during frequent dipping of bill; by day, probably locates prey visually. May forage cooperatively, lining up and driving fish toward shallower water.

 

Diet mostly fish. Primarily eats "rough" fish of little value to humans; also crayfish, salamanders.

 

Done