Detail of John J. Audubon’s American White Pelican (Plate 311)

''On its beak was a noticeable bump. Of the eight pelican species worldwide, White Pelicans are the only species that have this characteristic (Audubon included it in his illustration).

This bump grows during the mating season on males and females. Once the eggs are laid, the bump falls off. Made of a “fibrous epidermal plate,” these shed “horns” can be found scattered next to their nests.

Unlike our local Brown Pelicans, the American White Pelican isn’t a sky diver. They scoop up fish by dipping their large beak and pouch into the water. They’ll often work as a team, herding fish into shallow areas.''

https://www.coastalexpeditions.com/blog/the-curious-beautiful-white-pelican/

but a little flock of these whites , in formation low on the water. ..... they are bigger than the browns.

and thanks for that audubon . what a wonderful "close up."

Photo: Lynn M. Stone

i was going to guess "pelican and a half" compared to the brown, but that is goose to duck.

A funny old bird is the pelican.
His beak can hold more than his belican.
Food for a week
He can hold in his beak,
But I don’t know how in the helican.

Boy, you must be pretty old. I bet you're older than I am to remember that one.

You aren't helping. Stay well.

Photo: Maureen Seaberg

In the Rocky Mountains. They are quite common in Spring and Summer, early Fall. They show up for trout and salmon runs. Amazing to watch.

Pelicans on the Madison near Quake Lake.

While it's common for them to winter along the Gulf Coast, this one needs to head towards the migration route near the Great Lakes. The Atlantic Flyway was extremely windy in early spring. This bird might have started out from Florida.

for those other birds nearby - "HEY!!!! We're swimmin' here!!!"



Thanks for posting and I can imagine those could stop by further south here in Philly at the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum (and duke it out with the Canada geese ).

but had no idea of the extent of their habitat across the U.S. Great to see that apparently spreading!

Jim McCormac
The Columbus Dispatch