In the vast expanse of North America, one can encounter both the American White Pelican and the Brown Pelican, two distinct species of magnificent birds. Iowa, in particular, serves as a sighting ground for these avian wonders.
The American White Pelican graces the Iowan skies throughout the year, its presence a constant delight. However, the appearance of the Brown Pelican in this region is a rarity, as it is either accidental or infrequent, seldom caught by the watchful eyes of observers.
Pelicans, grandiose creatures of the avian realm, captivate the senses with their colossal size, distinguished by their massive beaks, expandable throat pouches, and sturdy feet. Despite their impressive stature, they possess a remarkable lightness, endowed with air-filled pockets in their frames and skin, enabling them to effortlessly float atop the water’s surface. When taking flight, their elongated wings facilitate graceful soaring through the heavens.
The global pelican family encompasses eight distinct species, with two of these majestic birds dwelling in North America—the American White Pelican and the Brown Pelicans.
During their breeding season, pelicans undergo captivating transformations. Their facial skin, throats, and beaks assume vibrant hues, while some even sprout additional appendages on their bills.
Pelicans partake in communal breeding, establishing colonies boasting up to a staggering 50,000 individuals. The nesting habits of these remarkable creatures vary, with some opting for ground-based nesting, while others favor the embrace of trees. After approximately 25 days of nurturing within the nest, the fledglings assemble in “creches,” forming gatherings of up to a hundred young birds. Astonishingly, the parents possess the innate ability to recognize their own offspring, solely providing sustenance to their biological progeny.
Although pelicans partake in predation, they do not fall within the realm of raptors that exclusively engage in such pursuits. While their diet predominantly consists of fish, they display a versatile palate, relishing in the consumption of crabs, frogs, snakes, mammals, birds, and even insects.
The pelican’s distinctive throat pouch serves as a net for capturing fish, skillfully draining the water before swallowing their aquatic prey. Young pelicans, in their early stages, directly derive nourishment from the throat pouches of their parents.
To aid in identifying the various pelican species encountered in Iowa, this guide relies on avibase, incorporating genuine data gleaned from passionate birdwatchers who share their observations on ebird. Through this collaborative effort, invaluable information emerges regarding the periods when these birds grace the landscapes of Iowa.
Two Species of Pelican in Iowa:
American White Pelican
The American White Pelican, a true Iowa resident, proudly occupies the region year-round. However, their population notably swells during the migratory seasons of March to April and August to November.
During migration, these splendid birds feature in 6% of summer checklists, 2% of winter checklists, and up to 19% of checklists contributed by avid birdwatchers traversing the state.
Distinguished by their majestic wingspans, American White Pelicans soar across the skies, boasting the second-largest average wingspan among all North American avian species.
Outside the breeding season, adult American White Pelicans sport a resplendent white plumage, adorned with black flight feathers visible during flight or when their wings stretch wide. Their bluish-gray eyes harmonize with the yellow facial skin encircling them, while their pale orange bills, pouches, and feet add vibrant accents. Juveniles, on the other hand, display light gray feathers with darker brown napes.
Breeding adults display striking differences in appearance compared to their non-breeding counterparts. The growth of a yellow plate, reminiscent
of a horn, atop their upper bills distinguishes them. Their bodies retain their pristine white hue, yet their eyes, bills, legs, and feet radiate brighter shades of orange.
Throughout the year, American White Pelicans undergo molting phases known as “eclipse.” During spring, a noticeable yellowish patch graces their breasts and chests, while summer brings forth blackish feathers adorning their heads.
- Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
- Length: 60 – 63 in (152 – 160 cm)
- Weight: 246.4 oz (6983 g)
- Wingspan: 96 – 110 in (244 – 279 cm)
American White Pelicans indulge in breeding rituals within remote lakes scattered across North America’s inland regions before embarking on winter sojourns to the southern Pacific Coast of the United States, the Gulf of Mexico, Mexico, and Central America. During migration, they make their presence known in western and central states of the US.
These remarkable birds favor shallow freshwater lakes, wetlands, and the fringes of lakes and rivers as their preferred habitats. In winter, their allure graces coastal bays, inlets, and estuaries, where they engage in foraging activities within shallow waters and find respite on sandbars.
While American White Pelicans primarily subsist on fish, their culinary preferences occasionally extend to include crabs, frogs, snakes, mammals, birds, and insects. Working in unison with other avian species, they employ strategic, coordinated maneuvers to corral fish towards the shore, facilitating efficient capture.
The American White Pelicans possess opportunistic tendencies when it comes to seeking sustenance, readily traversing great distances in pursuit of more abundant feeding grounds. They are also notorious for snatching fish from the water’s surface, pilfering their fellow avian counterparts’ spoils.
As far as vocalizations go, American White Pelicans generally maintain silence, emitting only occasional grunts. However, their offspring, congregating in vast colonies, prove quite vociferous as they persistently vocalize their pleas for nourishment.
Their nests consist of simple, shallow depressions nestled upon the ground. Over time, twigs, sticks, reeds, and other natural materials accumulate, creating protective layers atop the soil, safeguarding the precious eggs within.
During the nesting process, the female American White Pelican lays one to two eggs, a responsibility shared by both parents who jointly incubate the eggs for approximately thirty-six days. Regrettably, due to siblicide, wherein one sibling eliminates the other, only one chick emerges victorious from each nest.
Fun Fact: The prodigious bill of the American White Pelican possesses the astonishing capacity to hold up to three gallons of water. When engaging in piscine pursuits, these magnificent birds tilt their bills downward, permitting the expulsion of excess water and ensuring the ingestion of their finned quarry nestled within their throat sacs.
Brown Pelican
Within the borders of Iowa, the Brown Pelican remains a rare and sporadic sight, appearing fleetingly, primarily around Polk County. The most recent sightings occurred near Lake Red Rock in 2019.
Adult non-breeding Brown Pelicans exhibit white heads and necks accentuated by pale yellow foreheads. Their lengthy bills present a harmonious combination of yellow and orange hues. Grayish-brown bodies grace their presence, accompanied by short, black legs and webbed feet. Juveniles bear brown heads, necks, backs, and wings, with bluish-gray bills and a light brown underside.
The Brown Pelican comprises five distinct subspecies, with two of them partaking in breeding activities within the United States. P.o.californicus represents the Pacific Coast variant, while P.o.carolinensis thrives along the Atlantic Coast.
Discerning between Pacific and Atlantic Brown Pelicans becomes more apparent during the breeding season. Both species exhibit white heads with prominently yellow foreheads. However, the napes undergo a transformation from white to dark brown. Atlantic Brown Pelicans boast olive-brown throat pouches, while their Pacific counterparts dazzle with vibrant red skin adorning their pouches.
- 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 as breeders or year-round residents, grace the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of North America, extending their presence southward to northern regions of South America.
These captivating birds thrive in shallow water environments, residing in estuaries and coastal marine habitats year-round. Resting periods find them perched upon mangrove islets, sandbars, breakwaters, and offshore rocks.
Brown Pelicans boast a remarkable foraging ability that sets them apart. They plunge into the depths of the ocean, effortlessly seizing their prey within their expansive throat pouches. Upon resurfacing, the pouches facilitate the drainage of water, enabling immediate consumption of the captured bounty.
Their diet predominantly comprises fish such as sardines and herring. When not engaged in daring dives, Brown Pelicans leisurely swim, seizing their prey with their bills. Their culinary preferences may extend to include crustaceans like prawns, amphibians, eggs, and the young of other avian species.
The vocal repertoire of adult Brown Pelicans typically encompasses occasional grunts, embracing a more subdued nature. However, juveniles express their desires through animated squawks, fervently pleading for sustenance.
When constructing their nests, Brown Pelicans often favor the ground over trees. Concealed and protected locations on islands, mangroves, and cliffs serve as their preferred sites. The female diligently builds the nest, employing reeds, leaves, pebbles, sticks, and soil to fashion a sturdy structure. Subsequently, she lays two to four eggs, which both parents dutifully incubate for approximately a month.
Fun Fact: During incubation, Brown Pelicans exhibit a peculiar practice—using their webbed feet to cover the eggs. However, this seemingly protective behavior proved detrimental to the species during a period when the pesticide DDT caused thinning of eggshells, resulting in their susceptibility to breakage under the weight of their parents’ feet. Ardent conservation efforts were necessary to reestablish the Brown Pelican population to its former glory.