The American White Pelican is one of the largest birds in North America, a spectacular white waterbird with black wingtips and an enormous orange bill and throat pouch, and its wingspan of around nine feet makes a soaring flock an unforgettable sight. Unlike the plunge-diving Brown Pelican of the coasts, this species feeds cooperatively while swimming: groups paddle in coordinated lines or half-circles, driving fish into the shallows and scooping them up together in their great pouches. In the air, flocks soar in tight formation on rising thermals, wheeling on broad black-and-white wings.
Historically rare in the region, American White Pelicans have expanded eastward in recent decades and are now an increasingly regular and even breeding presence in Michigan, especially on Great Lakes bays, large lakes, and marshes from spring through fall. Their return is one of the notable range expansions among the state's waterbirds. During the breeding season adults grow a curious horny plate on the upper bill, shed after nesting.
Feeds mainly on fish, along with some amphibians and crayfish, caught by dipping the huge pouched bill into the water while swimming. It often forages cooperatively, with groups herding fish into shallow water where they can be scooped up together — it does not plunge-dive like the Brown Pelican.
The American White Pelican is much larger and white with black wingtips, and it feeds by swimming and scooping fish, often cooperatively. The Brown Pelican is a coastal bird, darker, and dives dramatically from the air — and it does not occur inland in Michigan.
Yes. Once rare in the region, American White Pelicans have expanded eastward and are now increasingly regular from spring through fall, with some breeding, especially on Great Lakes bays, large lakes, and marshes.
By swimming and dipping their pouched bills into the water, frequently in coordinated groups that herd fish into the shallows to scoop them up together. They strain the water from the pouch before swallowing the catch.
Immatures have dusky gray-brown wash on the head, neck, and wing coverts and a duller, grayish bill without the breeding adult's odd horn plate. They reach clean adult white in about three years.
A pod or a squadron, the second earned by their habit of flying in tight, perfectly synchronized lines. Michigan's small breeding colonies are a recent and still-expanding development.
Other birds you might be looking at instead.
Pick the park — it takes less than ten seconds.
Start typing the bird's name, then pick it from the list.
Suggest a birding spot to add to the map. I'll review it before it appears.
Thanks! Your suggestion has been sent for review.
Found something wrong or out of date? Tell me what to fix — it goes straight to my inbox. (No email needed.)
Thank you — your note is on its way. I appreciate the help keeping this accurate.