In Maine, you can come across both the American White Pelican and the Brown Pelican, which are two of the pelican species found in North America. Surprisingly, these magnificent birds are considered rare or accidental in this region.
Pelicans, being among the largest avian creatures globally, possess distinct features like their enormous bills, throat pouches, and feet, making them easily recognizable. Despite their size, they are surprisingly lightweight due to air pockets in their skeleton and skin, aiding them in floating effortlessly. Additionally, their extensive wings facilitate graceful soaring through the skies.
The world is home to eight pelican species, two of which inhabit North America, namely the American White Pelican and the Brown Pelicans.
During the breeding season, pelicans undergo fascinating transformations. Their facial skin, throats, and bills adopt vivid, vibrant colors, and some even develop additional structures on their bills.
Breeding pelicans form colonies that can reach an astounding population of up to 50,000 birds. Depending on the species, these colonies can be either ground-nesting or tree-nesting. After approximately 25 days in the nest, young pelicans assemble in “creches,” consisting of up to 100 juveniles. Remarkably, parents possess the ability to recognize their own offspring and exclusively feed them.
Although pelicans hunt and consume various creatures, they are not classified as birds of prey, a distinction reserved for raptors. The primary diet of pelicans comprises fish, yet they also indulge in crabs, frogs, snakes, mammals, birds, and insects.
Using their expansive throat pouches, pelicans adeptly capture fish, draining the water before swallowing their prey. Young pelicans even feed directly from their parents’ pouches.
To assist in identifying the types of pelicans spotted in Maine, this guide utilizes data gathered from birdwatchers on eBird and information from avibase. It aims to provide genuine insights into the presence and timing of these birds in the region.
Maine houses two species of pelicans:
American White Pelican
In Maine, the American White Pelican is a rare or accidental species, with a few reported sightings primarily along the state’s coastline. The most recent sighting occurred near Milbridge in 2021.
The American White Pelican, a soaring avian marvel, boasts the second-largest average wingspan among all North American birds. During non-breeding periods, these pelicans exhibit a predominantly white plumage, revealing black flight feathers solely during flight or when their wings extend. They possess bluish-gray eyes and yellow facial skin encircling their eyes. Their bills, pouches, and feet exhibit a pale orange hue. Juveniles display light gray feathers with darker brown napes.
Breeding adult American White Pelicans showcase distinct coloration compared to their non-breeding counterparts. They develop a yellow horn-like structure on their upper bills. Their bodies remain all-white, but their eyes, bills, legs, and feet intensify into a brighter shade of orange.
American White Pelicans undergo molting changes, known as the “eclipse.” During spring, a visible yellowish patch emerges on their breasts and chests. In summer, their heads acquire blackish feathers.
- 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 breed in secluded inland lakes across North America before migrating to spend winters 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.
Freshwater lakes, wetlands, and the fringes of lakes and rivers serve as habitats for American White Pelicans. In winter, they seek coastal bays, inlets, and estuaries, where they forage in shallow waters and rest on sandbars.
Fish primarily constitute the diet of American White Pelicans. They engage in surface swimming and skillfully employ their massive bills to seize prey. Furthermore, they engage in coordinated group foraging, strategically driving fish towards the shore for efficient capture.
These opportunistic feeders travel extensively in search of abundant feeding grounds. They may consume crayfish, amphibians, salamanders, and are even notorious for pilfering fish from other birds on the water’s surface.
American White Pelican calls: These majestic birds are typically silent, occasionally emitting a few grunts. However, the young ones tend to be quite noisy in large colonies as they clamor for food.
American White Pelican nests consist of simple, shallow depressions on the ground. Over the soil, the birds add twigs, sticks, reeds, and other materials to provide protection for the eggs.
Afterward, the female pelican lays one to two eggs, which both parents diligently incubate for up to thirty-six days. Sadly, only one chick from each nest survives due to siblicide, where one sibling eliminates the other.
Fun Fact: The elongated, gigantic bill of the American White Pelican possesses the capacity to hold three gallons of water. When the pelican captures fish from the sea, it tips its bill downward, allowing the water to drain out, leaving behind the fish to be swallowed within its throat sac.
Brown Pelican
Brown Pelicans are also considered rare or accidental species in Maine, with sightings restricted to the southwestern coast. The most recent sighting occurred around East Point Sanctuary in 2020.
Non-breeding adult Brown Pelicans typically exhibit white heads and necks, accompanied by pale yellow foreheads. Their elongated bills showcase a combination of yellow and orange hues. Their bodies display a grayish-brown coloration, supported by short, black legs and webbed feet. Juveniles possess brown heads, necks, backs, and wings, with bluish-gray bills and a light brown underside.
The Brown Pelican comprises five subspecies, two of which breed in the United States. The Pacific Coast variant is known as P.o.californicus, while the Atlantic Coast variant is identified as P.o.carolinensis.
Distinctions between Pacific and Atlantic Brown Pelicans become more apparent during the breeding season. Both species exhibit white heads with brighter yellow foreheads. The color of their napes transitions from white to dark brown. Atlantic Brown Pelicans possess olive-brown throat pouches, whereas Pacific Brown Pelicans bear red skin in 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 breed, migrate, or remain resident year-round along the Pacific and Atlantic Coasts of North America, extending to northern South America.
Brown Pelicans are commonly found in shallow water environments. They inhabit estuaries and coastal marine habitats throughout the year. Resting periods may be observed on mangrove islets, sandbars, breakwaters, and offshore rocks.
The Brown Pelican showcases a remarkable foraging ability, distinguishing it from other species. It skillfully dives into deep ocean waters, capturing prey within its throat pouch. Upon resurfacing, the pelican drains the water from its pouch, enabling it to instantly swallow its catch.
Their primary food source consists of fish such as sardines and herring. While not engaged in diving, they swim leisurely and seize prey using their bills. Additionally, their diet may include crustaceans like prawns, amphibians, eggs, and young birds.
Brown Pelican calls: Adult Brown Pelicans are typically silent, emitting occasional grunts. However, juvenile pelicans may squawk to beg for food.
Brown Pelican nests are more commonly built on the ground rather than in trees. They tend to be concealed and protected on islands, mangroves, and cliffs. The female constructs the nest using reeds, leaves, pebbles, sticks, and soil. Each clutch consists of 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. Unfortunately, this practice posed a threat to the species when the pesticide DDT caused the thinning of eggshells, making them susceptible to breakage under the weight of the parent’s feet. Numerous conservation efforts were required to restore the Brown Pelican population to healthy numbers.