Details
Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
A large white pelican that breeds on inland North American lakes and often herds fish cooperatively at the surface.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
Breeds on shallow inland lakes and wetlands, then winters along coasts, bays, lakes, and lagoons.
The body is white with black wingtips. The bill is long with a large pouch, and breeding adults grow a plate on the upper bill.
Groups swim together to drive fish into shallow water. In flight, they soar in lines or circling flocks.
It mainly eats fish, with some crustaceans and amphibians, and rarely plunge-dives like brown pelicans.
Colonies nest on islands or isolated shores. Pairs make shallow ground nests and raise chicks together.
Its inland breeding habit is distinctive, and nesting success depends on stable water levels and low disturbance.
