In Arizona, both the American White Pelican and the Brown Pelican can be observed among the two Pelican species found in North America.
During the winter season, one can easily spot the American White Pelican in this region. However, the presence of the Brown Pelican is relatively uncommon and sightings are infrequent.
Pelicans, being one of the largest avian creatures globally, possess distinctive features such as their enormous bills, expandable throat pouches, and sturdy feet. Despite their imposing size, they are surprisingly lightweight, thanks to air pockets present in their skeletal structure and skin, aiding in buoyancy. Additionally, their elongated wings facilitate graceful soaring while in flight.
There are a total of eight pelican species across the world, with two residing in North America—the American White Pelican and the Brown Pelican.
During the breeding period, pelicans undergo captivating transformations. Their facial skin, throat, and bills take on vibrant hues, and certain species develop additional appendages on their bills.
Pelicans breed in colonies, with some consisting of up to 50,000 individuals. Depending on the species, these colonies may choose ground or tree nesting sites. After approximately 25 days in the nest, the young pelicans assemble in “creches” comprising up to a hundred juveniles. Astonishingly, the parents can recognize their own offspring and solely provide nourishment to them.
While pelicans do prey on various creatures, they do not fall under the category of birds of prey, which is typically reserved for raptors. Their primary diet consists of fish, although they also consume crabs, frogs, snakes, mammals, birds, and insects.
To capture fish, pelicans employ their throat pouches, swiftly scooping up their prey and draining the water before swallowing. Juvenile pelicans even feed directly from their parents’ pouches.
To assist in identifying the Pelican species observed in Arizona, this guide utilizes information sourced from bird watchers on ebird and data compiled on avibase, offering genuine insights into the presence of these birds.
Pelicans in Arizona:
American White Pelican
American White Pelicans are frequently sighted in Arizona, particularly around Phoenix, during the winter months from October to March. They appear in approximately 2% of the winter checklists submitted by bird enthusiasts. However, some individuals can be spotted year-round.
With their expansive wingspans, American White Pelicans are majestic gliding birds, boasting the second-largest average wingspan among North American avians.
Non-breeding adult American White Pelicans exhibit an all-white plumage, except for the black flight feathers visible during flight or when their wings are extended. Their eyes possess a bluish-gray shade, and they exhibit yellow facial skin surrounding their eyes. Their bills, pouches, and feet showcase a pale orange hue. Juveniles, on the other hand, possess light gray feathers with darker brown napes.
During the breeding season, adult American White Pelicans display distinct color variations compared to their non-breeding counterparts. They develop yellow plates on their upper bills, resembling horns. Their bodies retain their white coloration, but their eyes, bills, legs, and feet become more vibrant shades of orange.
Throughout the year, American White Pelicans undergo molting changes known as eclipse. In spring, a noticeable yellowish patch appears on their breast and chest. In summer, blackish feathers emerge on their heads.
- Scientific name: Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
- Length: 60 – 63 inches (152 – 160 cm)
- Weight: 246.4 ounces (6983 g)
- Wingspan: 96 – 110 inches (244 – 279 cm)
American White Pelicans breed in remote inland lakes in North America and subsequently migrate to spend their winters along the southern Pacific Coast of the United States, the Gulf of Mexico, Mexico, and Central America. During migration, they can be spotted in various western and central states of the US.
These pelicans primarily inhabit shallow freshwater lakes, wetlands, and the perimeters of lakes and rivers. During winter, they can also be found in coastal bays, inlets, and estuaries, where they forage in shallow waters and rest on sandbars.
The main dietary preference of American White Pelicans is fish. They skillfully swim on the water’s surface, capturing their prey with their massive bills. They often engage in cooperative foraging with other birds, employing strategic maneuvers to drive fish toward the shore, making it easier to seize their meal efficiently.
American White Pelicans are opportunistic feeders, willing to travel considerable distances in search of optimal feeding grounds. They may also consume crayfish, amphibians, salamanders, and are known to pilfer fish from the water’s surface, snatching them away from other birds.
In terms of vocalizations, American White Pelicans are generally silent, emitting only a few grunts. However, their young offspring can be quite noisy within the vast colonies, vociferously clamoring for food.
When constructing nests, American White Pelicans prefer simple shallow depressions on the ground. They enhance these nests with twigs, sticks, reeds, and other materials for added protection. The female then lays one to two eggs, which are incubated jointly by both parents for approximately thirty-six days. Unfortunately, due to siblicide, only one chick typically survives in each nest, as one sibling eliminates the other.
Fun fact: The remarkable bill of the American White Pelican possesses a remarkable capacity to hold up to three gallons of water. While fishing, the pelican tilts its bill downward, draining the water, allowing it to swallow the remaining fish in its throat sac.
Brown Pelican
Brown Pelicans are commonly found in southern Arizona, particularly in areas surrounding Phoenix and Tucson. Their presence is more prevalent from August to January, although a few individuals can be spotted throughout the year.
Non-breeding adult Brown Pelicans exhibit white heads and necks, adorned with pale yellow foreheads. Their long, pale bills exhibit a combination of yellow and orange. Their bodies display a grayish-brown coloration, accompanied by short black legs and webbed feet. Juveniles possess brown heads, necks, backs, and wings, while their long bills appear bluish-gray. Their underbellies feature a light brown shade.
The Brown Pelican consists of five subspecies, two of which breed within the United States. P.o.californicus represents the Pacific Coast variant, while P.o.carolinensis corresponds to the Atlantic Coast variant.
During the breeding season, the disparities between the Pacific and Atlantic Brown Pelicans become more apparent. Both species develop white heads with more vibrant yellow foreheads. The nape of their necks transitions from white to dark brown. Atlantic Brown Pelicans possess olive-brown throat pouches, whereas their Pacific counterparts exhibit red skin within their throat pouches.
- Scientific name: Pelecanus occidentalis
- Length: 48 – 50 inches (122 – 127 cm)
- Weight: 131.2 ounces (3718 g)
- Wingspan: 78 – 84 inches (198 – 213 cm)
Brown Pelicans can be either resident year-round or engage in breeding and migration along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of North America, extending to northern South America.
These pelicans frequent environments with shallow water, consistently inhabiting estuaries and coastal marine habitats. Resting periods may be observed on mangrove islets, sandbars, breakwaters, and offshore rocks.
Noteworthy among their unique foraging abilities is their diving technique. Brown Pelicans plunge into the depths of the ocean to catch their prey within their throat pouches. Upon resurfacing, the water drains from their pouches, facilitating the immediate consumption of their catch.
The primary dietary preference of Brown Pelicans comprises fish species such as sardines and herring. When not diving, they employ a more casual swimming approach, seizing their prey with their bills. They may also consume crustaceans, amphibians, eggs, and other young birds.
Regarding vocalizations, adult Brown Pelicans are generally silent, occasionally emitting grunts. However, juveniles can produce squawks when begging for food.
Brown Pelicans tend to construct their nests on the ground rather than in trees. These nests are typically concealed and protected, located on islands, within mangroves, or on cliffs. Females meticulously construct the nests using materials like reeds, leaves, pebbles, sticks, and soil. The female lays two to four eggs, which are incubated jointly by both parents for approximately a month.
Fun fact: Brown Pelicans employ their webbed feet to cover their eggs during incubation, a behavior that inadvertently caused harm to the species in the past. Due to the pesticide DDT, the thinning of eggshells occurred, leading to the eggs breaking under the weight of the parents’ feet. Numerous conservation efforts were required to restore the Brown Pelican population.