Tag Archives: American White Pelican

American White Pelican Coming In

January 11, 2020 Ellen Jennings 2 Comments

American White Pelicans have a nine foot (2.75 Meter) wingspan. They are surprisingly graceful and I watched many of them fly over a pond and land on a sand bar. Evidently only I was impressed; the other occupants of the sand bar never even looked up.

As he turned you can get a feel for how large these birds are in comparison to the Ring-billed Gulls,

and the Cormorants standing around.

Once they hit land they tended to strut along a bit, quickly blending in with the rest of the gathering.

Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge
December 24, 2019

Birds, Landscape

Pond Of Birds

December 8, 2019 Ellen Jennings 3 Comments

A very entertaining group including American White Pelicans, Great Blue Herons, Roseate Spoonbills, Wood Storks, a Great Egret and an Anhinga.

And an Alligator.

Water Birds

Single White Pelican

December 5, 2019 Ellen Jennings Leave a comment

American White Pelicans tend to feed in groups, probably gaining an advantage of any fish their neighbor stirs up. This fellow swam away from the group into a spot where the fall colors from the tree line reflected in the shallow water. I believe the rougher water beyond the bird is deeper and has some flow as it heads into a canal.

His feeding style was more scooping along the water surface, and less plunging of his full head.

He seemed to be successful.

Water Birds

White Pelicans, Between Feedings

December 2, 2019 Ellen Jennings 3 Comments

These White Pelicans were taking a break after feeding, some resting, some grooming.

A Great Blue Heron in the background stood his ground, not paying much attention as the Pelicans swam back and forth.

Wading Birds, Water Birds

Goofy Birds

November 30, 2019 Ellen Jennings 3 Comments

A Great Blue Heron took a stroll in front a Wood Stork and small flock of American White Pelicans.

White Pelicans, Wood Stork, Great Blue Heron

He was oblivious to the photo-bombers beyond him.

The “big gulp” has got to make some noise, but the Heron was not diverted.

Interestingly, the Wood Stork and Pelicans were feeding steadily but the dozen or so Great Blue Herons around this area weren’t showing any interest in food.

Water Birds

White Pelicans, Fall Colors

November 28, 2019 Ellen Jennings 4 Comments

Happy Thanksgiving!

White Pelicans Fall Colors — Great Egret, White Pelicans, Fall Colors

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, November 28, 2019

Water Birds

American White Pelican, Bottom View

December 9, 2018 Ellen Jennings 4 Comments

With a wingspan of 95 to 115 inches (244-290 cm), the American White Pelican is one of the largest birds in North America. It’s quite amazing to have one fly right over you!

American White Pelican Flying Overhead — American White Pelican, From Below

For such a big bird they make a remarkably delicate landing, with very little splash.

Water Birds

American White Pelicans Taking Off

November 24, 2018 Ellen Jennings 2 Comments

A dozen White Pelicans were paddling back and forth across the back of this pond with a Great Blue Heron watching over them.

All of a sudden it was time to move on.

These huge birds make very little disruption as they take off. They can weigh up to 20 pounds (9 KG) and leave barely a ripple in the water..

Their effortless looking flight continued as they banked, turning towards another pond further into the old rice impoundment.

American White Pelicans Over Marsh — American White Pelicans Flying Over Marsh

Wading Birds, Water Birds

White Pelican in Wood Stork’s Space

November 22, 2018 Ellen Jennings 2 Comments

At first at seemed that the White Pelican had no interest in the Wood Stork as he casually paddled along.

But as he got closer I began to wonder.

Surely, the Wood Stork would have some kind of reaction.

I wish I could have seen this from another angle–did the Wood Stork reach into the Pelican’s beak?

Whatever happened, the White Pelican decided to move on, continuing to make a little flap about it.

The Wood Stork continued to pay no attention.

11/19/2018 Donnelley Wildlife Management Area

Water Birds

Good Morning Pelicans

July 9, 2018 Ellen Jennings 2 Comments

A flock of American White Pelicans was standing in a line as the sun came up over this shallow pond. The water was not deep enough for them to dive for fish so I was expecting them to take off any minute to look for breakfast.

I positioned myself to hopefully catch them taking off. Instead, they quietly preened as a few Roseate Spoonbills and Wood Storks did the same.

They moved very little in the 90 minutes I was at this pond. Unfortunately they didn’t like it so much that they had repeated this routine when I returned a few days later.