Connecticut is home to both the American White Pelican and the Brown Pelican, two distinct species among the world’s eight types of pelicans.
In this region, the American White Pelican is a relatively uncommon sight, while the Brown Pelican is a rare occurrence and not frequently observed.
Pelicans, known for their massive bills, expandable throat pouches, and remarkable feet, rank among the largest birds globally, easily recognizable with their size. Surprisingly, despite their bulk, they possess a lightweight nature due to air pockets within their bones and skin, aiding their buoyancy. Additionally, their elongated wings enable graceful soaring during flight.
During the mating season, pelicans undergo notable transformations, as their facial skin, throats, and bills exhibit vivid hues, with some developing additional structures on their bills.
Colonizing in groups of up to 50,000, pelicans breed in nests that can either be situated on the ground or in trees. After approximately 25 days, the fledglings assemble in “creches,” consisting of around 100 young birds. Astonishingly, the parents can recognize their own offspring and exclusively provide nourishment to them.
Although pelicans feed on various creatures, they are not classified as birds of prey, which are typically reserved for raptors. Their diet primarily comprises fish, but they are also known to consume crabs, frogs, snakes, mammals, birds, and insects.
To assist in catching fish, pelicans employ their throat pouches to trap their prey and drain the water before swallowing it. Additionally, young pelicans directly feed from their parents’ throat pouches.
To aid in identifying the specific pelican species found in Connecticut, this guide draws information from the bird-watching community on ebird and avibase, offering authentic insights on the periods when these avian creatures can be observed.
Connecticut is home to two pelican species:
1. American White Pelican
The American White Pelican is not frequently encountered in Connecticut. However, there have been occasional sightings in the Hartford area and along the coastline.
Characterized by their soaring nature, American White Pelicans rank among the largest birds in North America, possessing the second largest average wingspan.
Non-breeding adult American White Pelicans exhibit an overall white plumage, with black flight feathers visible only during flight or when their wings are extended. Their eyes appear bluish-gray, surrounded by yellow facial skin. Pale orange bills, pouches, and feet are distinctive features. Juveniles showcase light gray feathers with darker brown napes.
During the breeding season, adult American White Pelicans display unique coloration. They develop a yellow horn-like plate on their upper bills. While maintaining their all-white bodies, their eyes, bills, legs, and feet become brighter shades of orange.
The American White Pelican experiences several molting changes, known as “eclipse.” In the spring, a noticeable yellowish patch appears on their breasts and chests. During 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 across North America before spending the winter along the southern Pacific Coast of the United States, the Gulf of Mexico, Mexico, and Central America. During migration, they can be observed in various western and central U.S. states.
These pelicans primarily inhabit shallow freshwater lakes, wetlands, and the edges of lakes and rivers. In winter, they can be found in coastal bays, inlets, and estuaries, where they forage in shallow
waters and rest on sandbars.
Their diet primarily consists of fish, which they capture by swimming near the surface and using their enormous bills. They also engage in cooperative foraging with other birds, strategically driving fish towards the shore to facilitate efficient scooping.
American White Pelican vocalizations are typically minimal, with only occasional grunts. However, the young birds within large colonies can be quite noisy, demanding food from their parents.
Nests of American White Pelicans are simple, shallow depressions on the ground. Additional twigs, sticks, reeds, and various materials are added for protective purposes.
The female pelican lays one to two eggs, which both parents incubate together for approximately thirty-six days. Unfortunately, due to siblicide, where one sibling eliminates the other, only one chick per nest survives.
Fun Fact: The impressive bill of the American White Pelican can hold up to three gallons of water. When scooping fish from the sea, it tilts its bill downward to drain the water, allowing it to swallow the remaining catch stored in its throat sac.
2. Brown Pelican
Brown Pelicans are rare or accidental visitors to Connecticut, although they have been sighted during fall migration along the state’s coastline, particularly near New Haven.
Non-breeding adult Brown Pelicans typically possess white heads and necks with pale yellow foreheads. Their elongated bills display a combination of yellow and orange hues. Grayish-brown bodies, short black legs, and webbed feet distinguish them. Juveniles exhibit brown plumage on their heads, necks, backs, and wings, with bluish-gray bills and a light brown underside.
The Brown Pelican comprises five subspecies, with two of them breeding in the United States. The Pacific Coast variant, P.o.californicus, and the Atlantic Coast variant, P.o.carolinensis.
Notable differences between the Pacific and Atlantic Brown Pelicans become more apparent 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 possess olive-brown throat pouches, while their Pacific counterparts display red skin on their 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 either breed, migrate, or remain year-round along the Pacific and Atlantic Coasts of North America, extending to northern South America.
These pelicans can be found in shallow water environments, residing in estuaries and coastal marine habitats throughout the year. They are also visible on mangrove islets, sandbars, breakwaters, and offshore rocks while resting.
Brown Pelicans possess a unique foraging ability that sets them apart. They dive into deep ocean waters to capture prey in their expandable throat pouches. Upon resurfacing, the pouches drain the water, allowing them to instantly swallow their catch.
Their diet primarily consists of fish, such as sardines and herring. When not diving, they swim leisurely and seize prey with their bills. They may also consume crustaceans, amphibians, eggs, and other young birds.
Adult Brown Pelicans are generally silent, emitting only occasional grunts. However, juveniles can be vocal, particularly when begging for food.
Nests of Brown Pelicans are predominantly constructed on the ground rather than in trees. They typically conceal and protect their nests on islands, mangroves, and cliffs. Females build the nests using reeds, leaves, pebbles, sticks, and soil. They lay two to four eggs, which both parents incubate for approximately a month.
Fun Fact: Brown Pelicans incubate their eggs by covering them with their webbed feet. This practice became detrimental to the species during a time when the pesticide DDT led to thinning eggshells, causing them to break under the weight of their parents’ feet. Extensive conservation efforts were required to restore the Brown Pelican population.