Get To Know The American White Pelican

Meet the American white pelican, one of the largest birds in North America. Pelicans are a huge water bird and are larger than bald eagles. They can be up to five and a half feet tall and have a wingspan of up to ten feet wide. American white pelicans are a snowy white with black flight feathers which can only be seen when they spread their wings. Their bills and legs are a yellow and orange color. These large birds often travel and gather in large flocks and will sometimes fly long distances in V formations. Their webbed feet make for smooth landings when descending into water and also help them swim. A pelican will forage by swimming on the surface, dipping their bills to scoop up fish, then raising their bills to drain water and swallow their prey. They can also be seen foraging cooperatively. They'll dip their bills and flap their wings to drive fish towards shore and then corralling prey for quite the feast. Pelicans will mostly eat small fish that are found in shallow wetlands such as minnows, carp, and suckers. They will also feast on salamanders, tadpoles, and crayfish. These birds are opportunistic and their diet changes with water levels and the availability of certain species. They forage in shallow water on inland marshes, along lake or river edges, and in wetlands. They spend winters mainly in coastal waters, bays, and estuaries. The American white pelican is a unique bird with an interesting look. They have several unique features and they are always a sight to see when there's a large gathering of them in rivers and wetlands.