In North America, one can encounter both species of Pelican, which are considered uncommon or incidental occurrences in Alaska. These avian creatures, namely the American White Pelican and Brown Pelican, possess remarkable characteristics such as their massive bills, expandable throat pouches, and well-adapted feet. Despite their impressive size, they remain lightweight due to air-filled cavities in their skeletal structure and skin, aiding in buoyancy, while their elongated wings facilitate graceful soaring during flight.
The world is home to eight distinct species of pelicans, with two of them inhabiting North America, namely the American White Pelican and Brown Pelicans. During the breeding season, these majestic birds undergo captivating transformations, as their facial skin, throats, and bills become vividly colored, and some even develop additional appendages on their bills.
Pelicans exhibit communal breeding habits, forming colonies consisting of up to 50,000 individuals. Depending on the species, these colonies may opt for ground or tree nesting. After spending approximately 25 days in the nest, the young pelicans gather in “creches” comprised of up to 100 fledglings. Astonishingly, the parents possess the remarkable ability to recognize their own offspring and provide nourishment exclusively to them.
While pelicans do prey on various animals, they are not classified as birds of prey, as that designation is reserved for raptors. Their primary diet consists of fish, but they are versatile eaters, consuming crabs, frogs, snakes, mammals, birds, and insects as well.
Employing their expandable throat pouches, pelicans adeptly capture fish, draining the water from their pouches before ingestion. Young pelicans also directly feed from their parents’ pouches, ensuring sustenance and growth.
For those interested in identifying the Pelican species spotted in Alaska, this guide draws upon the invaluable data from avian enthusiasts on ebird and avibase. It provides genuine information on the occurrence of these birds in the region.
Alaska is home to two distinct species of Pelicans:
1. Brown Pelican
The presence of Brown Pelicans in Alaska is a rarity, and their occurrence has been reported only in Ketchikan as far back as 2003. Adult non-breeding Brown Pelicans typically possess white heads and necks, accentuated by pale yellow foreheads. Their elongated bills exhibit a blend of yellow and orange hues. Their bodies display grayish-brown plumage, complemented by short black legs and webbed feet. Juveniles exhibit brown coloring on their heads, necks, backs, and wings, with bluish-gray bills and a light brown underside.
The Brown Pelican encompasses five subspecies, two of which breed within the United States. The Pacific Coast variant, P.o.californicus, and the Atlantic Coast variant, P.o.carolinensis, exhibit noticeable distinctions during the breeding season. Both species exhibit white heads with vibrant yellow foreheads. The coloration of their napes transitions from white to dark brown. Atlantic Brown Pelicans possess olive-brown throat pouches, while their Pacific counterparts feature red-hued throat pouches.
- Scientific Classification:
- Species: 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 resident year-round along the Pacific and Atlantic Coasts of North America, extending to northern South America. These pelicans frequent shallow water environments, residing in estuaries, coastal marine habitats, mangrove islets, and resting on sandbars, breakwaters, and offshore rocks.
What sets Brown Pelicans apart is their remarkable diving ability, enabling them to plunge into the depths of the ocean to capture prey within their pouches. Upon resurfacing, they drain the water from their pouches, facilitating immediate consumption of their catch. Their diet primarily consists of fish such as sardines and herring. While not diving, they employ a more leisurely swimming technique to snatch prey with their bills. Additionally, they may consume crustaceans, amphibians, eggs, and other young birds.
Regarding vocalization, adult Brown Pelicans are generally silent, emitting occasional grunts, while juvenile individuals vocalize to solicit food.
In terms of nesting habits, Brown Pelicans predominantly construct nests on the ground, favoring islands, mangroves, and cliffs as concealed and protected locations. The female diligently builds the nest using reeds, leaves, pebbles, sticks, and compacted soil. Two to four eggs are laid and incubated jointly by both parents for approximately one month. Notably, Brown Pelicans adopted the unique practice of incubating their eggs by covering them with their webbed feet. Unfortunately, the species faced challenges due to the thinning of eggshells caused by the pesticide DDT, leading to breakage under the weight of parental feet. Numerous conservation efforts were necessary to restore Brown Pelican populations.
2. American White Pelican
American White Pelicans are exceptionally rare in Alaska, with no sightings reported in recent years. Their presence in the state is considered accidental. These majestic birds possess impressive wingspans, ranking among the largest in North America.
Non-breeding adult American White Pelicans showcase a pristine white plumage throughout their bodies, with only their black flight feathers visible during flight or when their wings are spread. Their bluish-gray eyes harmonize with the yellow facial skin encircling them. Pale orange bills, pouches, and feet complete their appearance. Juvenile individuals exhibit light gray feathers, complemented by darker brown napes.
During the breeding season, adult American White Pelicans undergo a striking transformation. They develop a yellow plate resembling a horn on their upper bills. Their bodies maintain their all-white appearance, while their eyes, bills, legs, and feet become more vividly orange.
American White Pelicans experience molting changes known as “eclipse.” In spring, a visible yellowish patch adorns their breasts and chests, while in summer, blackish feathers emerge on their heads.
- Scientific Classification:
- Species: 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 secluded inland lakes throughout North America before wintering 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.
Their preferred habitats include shallow freshwater lakes, wetlands, and the fringes of lakes and rivers. During winter, they can be found in coastal bays, inlets, and estuaries, where they forage in shallow water and rest on sandbars.
Fish constitute the primary component of the American White Pelican’s diet. They employ their massive bills to skim the water surface, capturing prey with remarkable precision. They also engage in cooperative foraging, coordinating with other birds to drive fish towards the shore, facilitating efficient feeding. These pelicans demonstrate opportunistic feeding behavior, adapting to favorable food sources by traversing significant distances. Their diet may include crayfish, amphibians, salamanders, and even pilfered fish from other birds.
Vocalizations of American White Pelicans are generally limited, with adults remaining silent and juveniles vocalizing prominently within large colonies while begging for food.
Nests of American White Pelicans are simple depressions on the ground, fortified with twigs, sticks, reeds, and other materials. The female lays one to two eggs, which both parents diligently incubate for up to thirty-six days. Unfortunately, due to siblicide, where one sibling eliminates the other, only a single chick per nest survives.
An intriguing fact about American White Pelicans is their bill’s astonishing capacity to hold three gallons of water. This unique adaptation allows them to drain water from their bill, leaving behind captured fish in their throat sac for consumption.