In North America, where New Hampshire resides, you may stumble upon both species of Pelican. These majestic creatures, namely the American White Pelican and the Brown Pelican, are not commonly sighted in this area, making their appearances rare or accidental.
Pelicans stand among the largest avian beings on our planet, boasting notable characteristics like their colossal bills, expandable throat pouches, and sturdy feet. Despite their impressive size, they possess a remarkable lightness, aided by air-filled pockets within their skeletal structure and skin. These natural buoyancy aids, coupled with their lengthy wings, enable them to effortlessly soar through the skies.
The global population of pelicans comprises eight unique species, of which two reside in North America—the American White Pelican and the Brown Pelican.
During the breeding season, pelicans undergo captivating transformations. Their facial skin, as well as their throats and bills, acquire vibrant hues, while some even develop additional features on their bills.
Pelicans prefer to breed in massive colonies consisting of up to 50,000 individuals. Depending on the species, these colonies can either nest on the ground or in trees. After approximately 25 days of nurturing in the nest, the young pelicans gather in “creches,” groups of up to 100 juveniles. Astonishingly, the parents possess the incredible ability to identify their own offspring and provide sustenance exclusively to them.
While pelicans indeed prey on various animals, they do not fall under the classification of birds of prey, which solely includes raptors. Their primary diet consists of fish, although they may also consume crabs, frogs, snakes, mammals, birds, and insects.
When hunting fish, pelicans deploy their throat pouches, deftly snatching their aquatic prey and effectively draining excess water before swallowing. In their youth, pelican chicks directly feed from their parents’ pouches.
To assist bird enthusiasts in identifying the types of pelicans encountered in New Hampshire, this guide utilizes information gathered from avid bird watchers on ebird and avibase, providing real-time data on the sightings of these magnificent creatures.
2 Pelican Species Present in New Hampshire:
1. American White Pelican
The American White Pelican is a sporadic visitor to New Hampshire, with only a few reported sightings, predominantly in the southeastern region of the state. The most recent encounter took place around Rockingham in 2018.
Distinguished by their grandeur, American White Pelicans are soaring behemoths, possessing the second-largest average wingspan among all North American birds.
During non-breeding periods, adult American White Pelicans exhibit a pristine white plumage, with black flight feathers visible solely during flight or when their wings are outstretched. Their eyes exude a bluish-gray shade, complemented by yellow facial skin encircling their eyes. Their bills, pouches, and feet don a pale orange hue. Juveniles, on the other hand, feature light gray feathers accentuated by darker brown napes.
During the breeding season, adult American White Pelicans undergo a striking transformation in appearance. They develop a yellow plate on their upper bills, resembling a horn. Although their bodies retain their all-white splendor, their bills, eyes, and legs adopt a vibrant orange tint around their eye-catching eyes.
The American White Pelican experiences several molting stages, known as eclipse. In spring, a visible yellowish patch adorns their breast and chest, while summer brings forth blackish feathers crowning their heads.
- Scientific Classification: Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
- Length: 60 – 63 inches (152 – 160 cm)
- Weight: 246.4 ounces (6983 g)
- Wingspan: 96 – 110 inches (244 – 279 cm)
Breeding colonies of American White Pelicans materialize in remote inland lakes across North America, followed by winter sojourns along the southern Pacific Coast of the United States, the Gulf of Mexico, Mexico, and Central America. During migration, they can be observed in western and central states of the US.
Preferred habitats for American White Pelicans encompass shallow freshwater lakes, wetlands, as well as the fringes of lakes and rivers. In winter, they seek refuge in coastal bays, inlets, and estuaries, where they forage in shallow waters and seek respite on sandbars.
Their diet predominantly revolves around fish. With their graceful presence on the water’s surface, American White Pelicans employ their immense bills to seize their prey. Additionally, they engage in cooperative foraging with other birds, employing strategic maneuvers to corral fish towards the shore, facilitating efficient scooping.
Opportunistic feeders by nature, American White Pelicans embark on extensive journeys to locate abundant feeding grounds. They showcase a penchant for crayfish, amphibians, and salamanders. Moreover, they are notorious for pilfering fish from other birds swimming on the water’s surface.
As for vocalizations, American White Pelicans usually maintain silence, emitting only occasional grunts. However, their young counterparts may produce noisy clamors within the expansive colonies, signifying their pleas for sustenance.
American White Pelican nests assume a simplistic form, comprising shallow depressions on the ground. Additional layers of twigs, sticks, reeds, and other materials are added atop the soil to offer protection for the eggs.
The female pelican lays one to two eggs, which both parents diligently incubate for a period of up to thirty-six days. Sadly, due to the occurrence of siblicide, where one sibling eliminates the other, only one chick per nest survives.
Fun Fact: The impressive bill of the American White Pelican possesses a remarkable capacity, capable of holding three gallons of water. While capturing fish from the sea, the pelican tilts its bill downward, allowing the water to drain, thus enabling the consumption of the remaining fish ensconced within its throat sac.
2. Brown Pelican
Brown Pelicans are considered rare or accidental visitors in New Hampshire, predominantly observed along the coastal regions. Their most recent appearance in the state transpired in 2019.
Non-breeding adult Brown Pelicans exhibit white heads and necks adorned with pale yellow foreheads. Their lengthy bills sport a combination of yellow and orange hues. Grayish-brown coats envelop their bodies, accompanied by short black legs and webbed feet. Juveniles display brown plumage on their heads, necks, backs, and wings, while their long bills take on a bluish-gray shade. Underneath, they boast a light brown complexion.
The Brown Pelican species consists of five subspecies, two of which breed within the United States—P.o.californicus along the Pacific Coast and P.o.carolinensis along the Atlantic Coast.
Distinct discrepancies between the Pacific and Atlantic Brown Pelicans emerge during the breeding season. Both species exhibit white heads with more vibrant yellow foreheads. The napes of their necks transition from white to dark brown. Atlantic Brown Pelicans display olive-brown throat pouches, whereas Pacific Brown Pelicans showcase red skin in their pouches.
- Scientific Classification: Pelecanus occidentalis
- Length: 48 – 50 inches (122 – 127 cm)
- Weight: 131.2 ounces (3718 g)
- Wingspan: 78 – 84 inches (198 – 213 cm)
Brown Pelicans either breed, migrate, or remain year-round residents along the Pacific and Atlantic Coasts of North America, extending downwards to northern South America.
These pelicans favor habitats near shallow bodies of water, residing in estuaries and coastal marine ecosystems throughout the year. They can be spotted resting on mangrove islets, sandbars, breakwaters, and offshore rocks.
Brown Pelicans possess a unique foraging prowess that sets them apart. They have the ability to plunge into the depths of the ocean to capture their prey within their expansive throat pouches. Upon resurfacing, they skillfully drain the water from their pouches, enabling them to swiftly consume their catch.
Their diet primarily consists of fish, such as sardines and herring. When not diving, Brown Pelicans engage in leisurely swimming and seize their prey with swift strikes of their bills. Additionally, they may indulge in crustaceans like prawns, amphibians, eggs, and even young birds.
When it comes to vocalizations, adult Brown Pelicans tend to maintain a silent demeanor, occasionally emitting grunts. However, juveniles are more vocal, often squawking to express their hunger and demand food.
Brown Pelican nests are typically constructed on the ground rather than in trees. They prefer concealed locations on islands, mangroves, and cliffs. The female takes charge of nest-building duties, utilizing a combination of reeds, leaves, pebbles, sticks, and soil. She lays two to four eggs, which are diligently incubated by both parents for approximately one month.
Interesting Fact: Brown Pelicans exhibit a unique incubation practice—using their webbed feet to cover and protect their eggs. However, this practice proved detrimental to their population in the past. Due to the effects of the pesticide DDT, their eggs’ shells became thinner, resulting in breakages under the weight of their parents’ feet. Countless conservation efforts were required to restore the Brown Pelican population to healthier numbers.