American White Pelican

An American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) is a large aquatic bird native to inland North America. It is known for its massive size, its striking all-white plumage, and its enormous, bright orange bill. 🦢

The American white pelican has a large, plump body with a long neck and a short tail. Its plumage is a brilliant white with black primary and secondary feathers that are only visible in flight. The most distinctive feature is its long, flat bill, which is a bright orange color during the breeding season. It has a large, expandable throat pouch that it uses to scoop up fish.

American white pelicans are found on large, shallow freshwater lakes and rivers across North America. They are carnivores and their diet consists of a wide variety of fish, which they catch by working together in a group to herd fish toward the shore.

American white pelicans are a highly social species that live in large colonies. Unlike the brown pelican, which dives for its food, the American white pelican fishes by swimming on the surface. They are a migratory species, traveling to the southern United States and Mexico during the winter.