In North America, one can come across two distinct Pelican species, both of which can be observed in the state of New York. These avian creatures are none other than the American White Pelican and the Brown Pelican. While the American White Pelicans can be frequently spotted during the summer months, the presence of Brown Pelicans in New York is rather infrequent and uncommon.
Pelicans, renowned for their immense bills, expandable throat pouches, and sturdy feet, stand as some of the largest and most recognizable birds in the world. Despite their imposing size, these majestic creatures possess a lightness about them, owing to the air-filled pockets within their skeleton and skin, enabling them to effortlessly float on water surfaces. Their elongated wings facilitate graceful soaring while taking flight.
Globally, there exist eight distinct pelican species, two of which find their abode in North America—the American White Pelican and the Brown Pelican.
During the breeding season, the facial skin, throats, and bills of pelicans assume vibrant hues, and some even develop additional structures on their bills.
Pelicans engage in breeding colonies, comprising up to an astounding 50,000 birds. Depending on the species, these colonies may opt for either ground or tree nesting. After a period of approximately 25 days in the nest, the younglings assemble in “creches,” groups of up to a hundred, and remarkably, the parents possess the ability to discern their own offspring and solely provide them with sustenance.
Though pelicans do prey upon various creatures, they do not fall under the category of birds of prey, which solely encompasses raptors. Fish predominantly constitute the diet of pelicans, yet they also consume crabs, frogs, snakes, mammals, birds, and insects.
Utilizing their expansive throat pouches, pelicans adeptly capture fish, subsequently draining out the excess water before engulfing their catch. Juvenile pelicans are even capable of directly feeding from their parents’ throat pouches.
For those seeking to identify the types of pelicans sighted in New York, this guide offers invaluable assistance. It draws information from avibase, while incorporating data collected by avid birdwatchers on ebird, thereby presenting factual details concerning the occurrence of these birds.
2 Pelican Species Present in New York:
American White Pelican
American White Pelicans are not a common sight in New York, although they can be observed from April to January.
These magnificent creatures, known as American White Pelicans, possess impressive wingspans, ranking second highest among all North American bird species.
Adult American White Pelicans in their non-breeding phase exhibit an overall white plumage, except for their black flight feathers, which only become discernible during flight or when their wings are spread. Their eyes bear a bluish-gray hue, while yellow facial skin surrounds their eyes. Pale orange bills, pouches, and feet complete their appearance. In contrast, juveniles sport light gray feathers with darker brown napes.
Breeding adult American White Pelicans boast a strikingly distinct appearance compared to their non-breeding counterparts. They develop a yellow plate on their upper bills, akin to a horn. Although their bodies maintain the characteristic all-white hue, their eyes, bills, legs, and feet undergo a vibrant transformation, adopting a brighter orange shade.
Throughout the year, American White Pelicans undergo several molting stages, collectively referred to as “eclipse.” In spring, a visible yellowish patch emerges on their breast and chest, while blackish feathers grace their heads during the summer.
- Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
- Length: 60 – 63 in (152 – 160 cm)
- Weight: 246.4 oz (6983 g)
- Wingspan: 96 – 110 in (244 – 279 cm)
Prior to migrating to the southern Pacific Coast of the United States, the Gulf of Mexico, Mexico, and Central America for the winter, American White Pelicans breed within remote inland lakes across North America. During migration, they can be encountered in various western and central states of the U.S.
American White Pelicans inhabit shallow freshwater lakes, wetlands, as well as the fringes of lakes and rivers. In winter, they frequent coastal bays, inlets, and estuaries, utilizing the shallow waters as feeding grounds and resting on sandbars.
The primary diet of American White Pelicans consists of fish. They swim near the water’s surface, deftly capturing their prey using their expansive bills. They also engage in cooperative foraging with fellow birds, employing a coordinated strategy to drive fish toward the shore, facilitating efficient scooping.
Opportunistic feeders, American White Pelicans travel considerable distances in search of superior feeding locations. Additionally, they consume crayfish, amphibians, salamanders, and are known to pilfer fish from other birds while skimming the water’s surface.
The vocalization of American White Pelicans remains largely silent, with minimal grunts. However, their young offspring may emit noisy calls within the expansive colonies, a cry for nourishment.
Nests constructed by American White Pelicans consist of simple, shallow depressions on the ground. Over the soil, twigs, sticks, reeds, and assorted materials are added to provide protection for the eggs.
Afterward, the female pelican lays one to two eggs, which both parents diligently incubate together for a duration of approximately thirty-six days. Regrettably, due to the phenomenon known as siblicide, where one sibling eliminates the other, only a solitary chick per nest survives.
Fun Facts: The elongated and colossal bill of the American White Pelican possesses the remarkable capacity to hold three gallons of water. When scooping up fish from the sea, the pelican inclines its bill downward, enabling the water to drain away, leaving behind the fish, ready to be ingested within its throat sac.
Brown Pelican
While Brown Pelicans are considered rare or accidental visitors to New York, there have been sporadic sightings, primarily in the vicinity of Tompkins.
During their non-breeding phase, adult Brown Pelicans typically exhibit white heads and necks, accompanied by pale yellow foreheads. Their elongated bills boast a combination of yellow and orange hues. Grayish-brown bodies, short black legs, and webbed feet complete their appearance. Juveniles, on the other hand, possess brown heads, necks, backs, and wings, with bluish-gray bills and a lighter brown shade underneath.
The Brown Pelican comprises five distinct subspecies, two of which breed within the United States—P.o.californicus, found along the Pacific Coast, and P.o.carolinensis, inhabiting the Atlantic Coast.
The disparities between the Pacific and Atlantic Brown Pelicans become more conspicuous during the breeding season. Both species exhibit white heads, with brighter yellow foreheads. However, the color of their napes transitions from white to dark brown. Atlantic Brown Pelicans possess olive-brown throat pouches, while their Pacific counterparts bear red-hued skin in the same region.
- Pelecanus occidentalis
- Length: 48 – 50 in (122 – 127 cm)
- Weight: 131.2 oz (3718 g)
- Wingspan: 78 – 84 in (198 – 213 cm)
Brown Pelicans either breed, migrate, or remain year-round residents along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of North America, extending down to northern South America.
Brown Pelicans thrive in shallow water environments, favoring estuaries
and coastal marine habitats throughout the year. They can also be spotted on mangrove islets, sandbars, breakwaters, and offshore rocks, where they seek respite.
The Brown Pelican possesses a unique foraging skill that sets it apart. Capable of diving into the depths of the ocean, they skillfully capture prey within their throat pouches. Upon resurfacing, the water drains away, allowing them to promptly swallow their catch.
Their diet primarily consists of fish, such as sardines and herring. When not engaged in diving, they leisurely swim, swiftly seizing prey with their bills. Additionally, they consume crustaceans like prawns, amphibians, eggs, and other young birds.
Adult Brown Pelicans tend to remain silent, occasionally emitting grunts, while juveniles vocalize to beseech food.
Nests of Brown Pelicans are predominantly situated on the ground, rather than within trees. Islands, mangroves, and cliffs serve as preferred nesting sites, offering concealment and protection. The female constructs the nest using reeds, leaves, pebbles, sticks, and soil. Typically, two to four eggs are laid, and both parents share the incubation duties for approximately a month.
Fun Fact: Brown Pelicans incubate their eggs by utilizing their webbed feet to cover them. However, during a period when the pesticide DDT caused thinning of the eggshells, the weight of the parent’s feet led to their rupture. Extensive conservation efforts were required to restore the population of Brown Pelicans.