(Supplemental plumage & flight photos added. Attempt to disguise some of the copied text) |
(Head photo in breeding plumage. Reference updated) |
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| − | [[Image:American_White_Pelican.jpg|thumb| | + | [[Image:American_White_Pelican.jpg|thumb|500px|right|Coming into breeding plumage<br />Photo by {{user|Leslie|Leslie}}<br/>Westlake Village, [[California]], [[USA]], January 2004]] |
;[[:Category:Pelecanus|Pelecanus]] erythrorhynchos | ;[[:Category:Pelecanus|Pelecanus]] erythrorhynchos | ||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
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'''Breeding''': has short yellowish crest on back of head and horny plate on upper mandible.<br /> | '''Breeding''': has short yellowish crest on back of head and horny plate on upper mandible.<br /> | ||
At the end of the breeding season they undergo a few changes to the alternate plumage appearance. The "horn" often seen on the upper mandible is lost, and many birds show short gray feathers on the crown and nape, which is described as '''Supplemental plumage'''.<br /> | At the end of the breeding season they undergo a few changes to the alternate plumage appearance. The "horn" often seen on the upper mandible is lost, and many birds show short gray feathers on the crown and nape, which is described as '''Supplemental plumage'''.<br /> | ||
| + | [[Image:PELI PREEN EM 0256.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Supplemental Plumage <br />Photo by {{user|blubird|blubird}}<br />Las Gallinas, San Rafael, [[California]], July 2008]] | ||
'''Young''' birds duskier than adults. | '''Young''' birds duskier than adults. | ||
| − | |||
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
Breeds from [[British Columbia]] and Mackenzie south to northern [[California]], [[Utah]], and [[Manitoba]]; also along [[Texas]] Gulf Coast. Winters from central [[California]], Gulf Coast, and [[Florida]] south to [[Panama]]. <br /> | Breeds from [[British Columbia]] and Mackenzie south to northern [[California]], [[Utah]], and [[Manitoba]]; also along [[Texas]] Gulf Coast. Winters from central [[California]], Gulf Coast, and [[Florida]] south to [[Panama]]. <br /> | ||
Annual '''vagrant''' to most states in the northeast and along the east coast. | Annual '''vagrant''' to most states in the northeast and along the east coast. | ||
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| − | + | This is a [[Dictionary_M-S#M|monotypic]] species<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>. | |
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
| + | [[Image:Blue Skies2.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by {{user|kmdipaolo|kmdipaolo}}<br />West Alton, [[Missouri]], April 2008]] | ||
Shallow lakes, coastal lagoons, brackish ponds and marshes. | Shallow lakes, coastal lagoons, brackish ponds and marshes. | ||
| − | |||
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
====Diet==== | ====Diet==== | ||
They work cooperatively in small groups, herding fish into shallow water and then scooping them up in their gigantic 3-gallon pouches. | They work cooperatively in small groups, herding fish into shallow water and then scooping them up in their gigantic 3-gallon pouches. | ||
====Breeding==== | ====Breeding==== | ||
| − | 1-6 whitish eggs on a low mound of earth and debris on a marshy island; occasionally on rocky islands in desert lakes. Nests in colonies. <br /> | + | [[Image:American White Pelican 2637.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Head shot in breeding plumage, showing the horny "plate" <br />Photo by {{user|blubird|blubird}}<br />Lake Merritt, Oakland, [[California]], [[U.S.]], April 2011]] |
| + | They lay 1-6 whitish eggs on a low mound of earth and debris on a marshy island; occasionally on rocky islands in desert lakes. Nests in colonies. <br /> | ||
The plate-like growth(s) on the upper mandible are shed after the eggs are laid. | The plate-like growth(s) on the upper mandible are shed after the eggs are laid. | ||
====Vocalisation==== | ====Vocalisation==== | ||
They are mostly silent but will make croaking noises on the breeding grounds. | They are mostly silent but will make croaking noises on the breeding grounds. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
| − | #{{Ref- | + | #{{Ref-Clements6thDec10}}#enature |
{{ref}} | {{ref}} | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
{{GSearch|Pelecanus+erythrorhynchos}} | {{GSearch|Pelecanus+erythrorhynchos}} | ||
[[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Pelecanus]] | [[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Pelecanus]] | ||
Revision as of 23:15, 6 April 2011
- Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
Identification
55-70" (1.4-1.8 m). W. 8' (2.4 m)
- A huge white bird
- Long flat bill
- Black wing tips.
Breeding: has short yellowish crest on back of head and horny plate on upper mandible.
At the end of the breeding season they undergo a few changes to the alternate plumage appearance. The "horn" often seen on the upper mandible is lost, and many birds show short gray feathers on the crown and nape, which is described as Supplemental plumage.
Young birds duskier than adults.
Distribution
Breeds from British Columbia and Mackenzie south to northern California, Utah, and Manitoba; also along Texas Gulf Coast. Winters from central California, Gulf Coast, and Florida south to Panama.
Annual vagrant to most states in the northeast and along the east coast.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species[1].
Habitat
Shallow lakes, coastal lagoons, brackish ponds and marshes.
Behaviour
Diet
They work cooperatively in small groups, herding fish into shallow water and then scooping them up in their gigantic 3-gallon pouches.
Breeding
Head shot in breeding plumage, showing the horny "plate"
Photo by blubird
Lake Merritt, Oakland, California, U.S., April 2011
Photo by blubird
Lake Merritt, Oakland, California, U.S., April 2011
They lay 1-6 whitish eggs on a low mound of earth and debris on a marshy island; occasionally on rocky islands in desert lakes. Nests in colonies.
The plate-like growth(s) on the upper mandible are shed after the eggs are laid.
Vocalisation
They are mostly silent but will make croaking noises on the breeding grounds.
References
- Clements, JF. 2010. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2010. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/Clements%206.5.xls/view
- enature
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) American White Pelican. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 6 May 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/American_White_Pelican
