In the realm of North American avifauna, you may encounter a duo of Pelican species gracing the skies of Kentucky. These marvelous creatures are none other than the American White Pelican and the Brown Pelican.
As the frigid winter arrives, the American White Pelicans make their presence known in this region. Conversely, the appearance of Brown Pelicans in Kentucky is a rare occurrence, and they are seldom spotted.
Pelicans, renowned for their colossal proportions, are among the largest avian species worldwide. Their tremendous bills, expandable throat pouches, and sturdy feet make them instantly recognizable. Despite their impressive size, they possess a surprisingly lightweight physique, thanks to air-filled pockets within their bones and skin. These natural buoyancy aids, coupled with their elongated wings, grant them the ability to gracefully glide through the skies.
The global pelican population comprises eight distinct species, two of which reside in North America: the American White Pelican and the Brown Pelicans.
During the breeding season, pelicans undergo striking transformations. Their facial skin, as well as their throats and bills, become adorned with vibrant hues, while some even develop additional protrusions on their bills.
Pelicans are social beings, congregating in colonies that can consist of up to a staggering 50,000 individuals. Depending on the species, they may choose either ground or tree nests for breeding purposes. After approximately 25 days of nest residency, young pelicans gather in large “creches” comprising up to 100 individuals. Astonishingly, their devoted parents possess the remarkable ability to recognize and solely provide sustenance to their own offspring.
While pelicans are known to prey upon various creatures, they do not fall under the category of birds of prey, which exclusively encompasses raptors. Fish constitute the primary dietary staple of pelicans, although they are known to indulge in a diverse array of sustenance including crabs, frogs, snakes, mammals, birds, and insects.
When capturing fish, pelicans skillfully employ their throat pouches to seize their wriggling quarry and subsequently drain excess water before ingestion. Furthermore, young pelicans partake in a direct feeding process from their parents’ voluminous throat pouches.
For individuals seeking to identify the pelican species found in Kentucky, this guide draws information from reputable sources such as Avibase and incorporates data obtained from avid birdwatchers who contribute to eBird. It serves as a valuable resource, providing genuine insights into the sighting opportunities for these magnificent birds.
Two Pelican Species in Kentucky:
American White Pelican
During the winter months spanning from September to March, the American White Pelican graces the western regions of Kentucky. While the majority migrates, a few individuals opt to remain throughout the year. According to observations submitted by birdwatchers, this species has been recorded in a mere 1% of winter checklists for the state.
The American White Pelican, an imposing avian marvel, possesses the second-largest average wingspan of any North American bird.
Non-breeding adult American White Pelicans exhibit a resplendent white plumage, with black flight feathers visible only during flight or when their wings are outstretched. They possess bluish-gray eyes, accompanied by yellow facial skin encircling their eyes. Their bills, pouches, and feet sport a pale orange hue. Juveniles, on the other hand, display light gray feathers adorned with darker brown napes.
During the breeding season, adult American White Pelicans undergo notable changes in coloration. They develop a horn-like yellow plate on their upper bills. While their bodies maintain an all-white appearance, the areas surrounding their eyes, bills, legs, and feet assume a vibrant shade of orange.
The American White Pelican experiences molting stages, known as eclipse plumage. In
spring, a conspicuous yellowish patch emerges on their breast and chest. As summer approaches, their heads are adorned with blackish feathers.
- 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 engage in breeding activities within remote inland lakes of North America. Following this phase, they embark on their winter sojourn, inhabiting the southern Pacific Coast of the United States, the Gulf of Mexico, Mexico, and Central America. During migration, they can be spotted in various states across western and central regions of the United States.
The American White Pelican frequents shallow freshwater lakes, wetlands, and the fringes of lakes and rivers. In winter, their presence extends to coastal bays, inlets, and estuaries, where they engage in foraging activities within shallow waters and seek repose on sandbars.
The primary sustenance for American White Pelicans consists of fish. Their feeding strategy often involves swimming near the water’s surface and utilizing their expansive bills to ensnare unsuspecting prey. Additionally, they display a remarkable tendency to engage in cooperative foraging endeavors with fellow birds, employing strategic maneuvers to herd fish towards the shore, where they can efficiently scoop them up.
These adaptable creatures seize opportunities wherever food abounds, often embarking on extensive journeys in search of bountiful feeding grounds. They demonstrate a penchant for devouring crayfish, amphibians, salamanders, and have been observed pilfering fish from other avian species atop the water’s surface.
American White Pelican calls: In general, these birds tend to maintain a tranquil demeanor, emitting few vocalizations other than occasional grunts. However, their young, congregating within vast colonies, may generate a cacophony of sounds as they vociferously implore for nourishment.
American White Pelican nests consist of simplistic, shallow depressions on the ground. Additional components such as twigs, sticks, reeds, and other available materials are incorporated to provide protection for the precious eggs.
The female pelican then lays one to two eggs, which both parents dutifully incubate for approximately thirty-six days. Tragically, due to the phenomenon of siblicide, only a single chick per nest survives as one sibling extinguishes the life of the other.
Fun Facts: The astonishingly elongated and capacious bill of the American White Pelican possesses the capacity to accommodate up to three gallons of water. When the pelican ensnares fish from the sea, it tilts its bill downward to drain the water, thus allowing the capture of the remaining fish residing within its throat sac.
Brown Pelican
Brown Pelicans, although considered rare or accidental in the Kentucky region, have occasionally made appearances, primarily during the summer season. The most recent sightings date back to 2020, specifically around Doe Valley Lake.
Non-breeding adult Brown Pelicans commonly exhibit white heads and necks adorned with pale yellow foreheads. Their lengthy bills exhibit a combination of yellow and orange hues. Their bodies present a grayish-brown complexion, complemented by short black legs and webbed feet. Juveniles feature brown heads, necks, backs, and wings, while their bills sport a bluish-gray tint. Their underbellies manifest a light brown shade.
The Brown Pelican encompasses five distinct subspecies, with two of them engaging in breeding activities within the United States. The Pacific Coast variant, denoted as P.o.californicus, and the Atlantic Coast variant, referred to as P.o.carolinensis.
Discernible distinctions between the Pacific and Atlantic Brown
Pelicans become more evident during the breeding season. Both species exhibit white heads adorned 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 showcase red skin within their pouches.
- Pelecanus occidentalis
- Length: 48 – 50 inches (122 – 127 cm)
- Weight: 131.2 ounces (3718 g)
- Wingspan: 78 – 84 inches (198 – 213 cm)
Brown Pelicans reside year-round, either as breeding or migratory individuals, along the Pacific and Atlantic Coasts of North America, extending as far south as northern South America.
Brown Pelicans gravitate towards habitats characterized by shallow waters. They establish year-round abodes within estuaries and coastal marine environments. Furthermore, they can be observed resting on mangrove islets, sandbars, breakwaters, and offshore rocks.
These remarkable creatures possess a distinctive foraging ability that distinguishes them from their counterparts. They demonstrate the aptitude to plunge into the depths of the ocean, capturing their prey within their accommodating throat pouches. Upon resurfacing, water promptly drains from their pouches, facilitating the immediate consumption of their catch.
The primary dietary focus for Brown Pelicans centers around fish species such as sardines and herring. When not engaged in their characteristic dives, they adopt a more leisurely approach, leisurely swimming and securing prey with their bills. Crustaceans, amphibians, eggs, and young birds also contribute to their dietary repertoire.
Brown Pelican calls: Adult individuals typically maintain a quiet demeanor, with intermittent grunts punctuating their silence. However, juvenile pelicans vocalize more frequently, employing squawks and cries to beseech their parents for nourishment.
Brown Pelican nests are predominantly established on the ground, rather than in trees. These concealed and fortified nesting sites can be found on islands, amidst mangroves, and upon cliffs. Constructed by the female pelican, the nest comprises reeds, leaves, pebbles, and sticks, with additional reinforcement provided by compacted soil. The female lays two to four eggs, incubated jointly by both parents for approximately a month.
Fun Fact: Brown Pelicans exhibit a peculiar incubation technique wherein they cover their eggs using their webbed feet. This behavior, once detrimental to their population, resulted from the adverse effects of the pesticide DDT, which caused the thinning of eggshells, rendering them vulnerable to breakage under the weight of parental feet. The concerted efforts of conservation initiatives were instrumental in reviving the Brown Pelican population to its current numbers.