"American White Pelicans"

American White Pelicans are gregarious birds, often associated with Double-crested Cormorants. Few can fail to be impressed by the sight of this spectacular species, one of the largest boreal birds, soaring overhead or feeding in synchronized groups. A flock of migrating American White Pelicans is a majestic sight-a long line of ponderous birds, flapping and coasting. Each bird seems to take its cue from the one in front of it, beginning to flap and starting a glide when its predecessor does. These birds ride rising air currents to great heights, where they soar slowly and gracefully in circles. These birds are more buoyant than Brown Pelicans and do not dive for their food. They cooperate to surround fish in shallow water, scooping them into their pouches. They take in both water and fish, and then hold their bills vertically to drain out the water before swallowing the food. This species is something of a conservation success story, with major population declines and range contractions before 1980 largely reversed.

 

A part of a larger group found in Lake Marian, Osceola County, Florida.

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