Growing up on the East Coast, I thought Pelicans were Sea Birds found in Florida. When we moved to Seattle back in 1984 I had no reason to doubt that until I was in the desert of Central Washington and found a dozen or so on a small pond in "The Potholes." Now, of course I realize that they are migratory birds, and can be found in much of the interior Central and Western US during the summer months. They move to the Southern Coasts of the US and Mexico in the winter. The White Pelican is a very large and plump bird; its overall length is about 62 inches with a wingspan of 108 inches. It's weight is 16 1/2 pounds so it is a fairly good size bird. It's plumage is almost entirely bright white, except for black on the underside of its' wings. The black is only visible in flight or when the wings are extended. The White Pelican's bill is long and flat, with a large throat sac. Unlike the Brown Pelican, it does not dive for food. Instead it catches its prey while swimming. Each bird eats more than 4 pounds of food a day (mostly fish). The only limerick I can remember is this one:
A wonderful bird in the Pelican
His break can hold more than his belican
He can take in his beak
Enough food for a week
And I'm dammed if I know how the helican
White Pelican with Double Crested Cormorant
photo taken at Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
White Pelican
photo taken in Central Washington
White Pelican
photo taken in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
White Pelican
photo taken at Fig Lagoon, California
White Pelican, American Avocet, Black Necked Stilt
photo taken at Cochise Lake, Arizona
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