Skip to main content
Close

American White Pelicans

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

Photo by gatorfellows
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

33.729, -96.7758

Field Notes

Description:

A large, heavy bodied, white waterbird with short legs. The feet are webbed and the wings are long and broad, with a black trailing edge. The tail is short and the bill is long with extensible pouch. The White Pelican does not dive for fish as the Brown Pelican does. Instead, it dips its head underwater to scoop up fish. Several pelicans may fish cooperatively, moving into a circle to concentrate fish, and then dipping their heads under simultaneously to catch fish.

Habitat:

Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge: The primary purpose of the refuge is to protect and manage 11,320 acres of habitat for refuge and breeding ground purposes for migratory birds and other wildlife. The Refuge includes about 6,500 acres of uplands, 4,000 acres of open water, 500 acres of wetlands, and 400 acres of croplands.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (0)

Be the first to comment

Sign in to comment

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Image
Butterflies icon

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon