In the realm of North America, where two species of majestic Pelican dwell, Minnesota stands as a haven for both. These remarkable creatures go by the names of American White Pelican and Brown Pelican.
When the warmth of summer graces Minnesota’s land, the American White Pelican proudly presents itself, gracing the skies and waters. Conversely, the Brown Pelican, a rare and occasional visitor, seldom blesses the state with its presence.
Pelicans, grandiose avian beings, stand among the giants of the avian kingdom, boasting colossal bills, expandable throat pouches, and sturdy feet. Despite their imposing stature, they possess a remarkable lightness, thanks to air-filled pockets nestled within their bones and skin. These remarkable adaptations grant them the power to float gracefully upon the water’s surface, while their lengthy wings enable them to soar effortlessly through the sky.
Across the globe, there exist eight distinct species of pelicans, two of which call North America their home. Among them, the American White Pelican and Brown Pelican take their rightful place.
During the breeding season, a wondrous transformation takes hold of these avian marvels. Their facial skin, along with their bills and throats, adorn themselves in vibrant hues, attracting the gaze of all who behold them. Some even develop peculiar protrusions on their bills, a sight to behold.
Pelicans, known for their communal nature, congregate in colonies that may reach staggering numbers of up to 50,000 individuals. Nesting habits vary among the species, with some opting for ground-nesting, while others choose the embrace of trees. After approximately 25 days of nurturing in the nest, the fledglings assemble in clusters known as “creches,” consisting of up to 100 young birds. Astonishingly, their devoted parents possess the remarkable ability to identify their own offspring, ensuring that only their kin receive sustenance.
Although pelicans exhibit a penchant for preying upon various creatures, they do not fall into the category of true birds of prey, which encompasses the raptors. The pelican’s diet primarily revolves around fish, yet they display versatility in their culinary choices, as they partake in crabs, frogs, snakes, mammals, birds, and insects.
With their distinctive throat pouches, pelicans deftly ensnare fish, meticulously draining the captured prey of excess water before consummating their feast. Juvenile pelicans, in their quest for nourishment, rely on their parents, directly drawing sustenance from their generous throat pouches.
Should you seek guidance in discerning the Pelicans that grace Minnesota’s domain, look no further. This comprehensive guide, crafted through the collaboration of avibase and data collected from diligent bird enthusiasts on ebird, presents genuine information regarding the opportune moments to encounter these awe-inspiring birds.
Minnesota’s Splendor: A Duo of Pelican Species
American White Pelican
Within the borders of Minnesota, the American White Pelican emerges during the summer months, commencing its presence in April and concluding in October. Nevertheless, a small contingent lingers year-round. A mere 5% of the checklists submitted by bird enthusiasts report sightings of this remarkable species in the state.
The American White Pelican, a magnificent creature, possesses a sizable frame, soaring through the skies with the second-largest average wingspan among North American birds.
During the non-breeding phase, adult American White Pelicans radiate an immaculate white plumage, with only the black flight feathers, visible during flight or when the wings are outstretched, breaking the monochromatic display. Their eyes exhibit a bluish-gray hue, complementing the yellow facial skin encircling their gaze. A pale orange palette adorns their bills, pouches, and feet. In
contrast, juvenile American White Pelicans bear light gray feathers accentuated by darker brown napes.
Once the breeding season commences, adult American White Pelicans undergo a striking transformation in their appearance. A distinct divergence emerges, characterized by the growth of a yellow plate atop their upper bills, reminiscent of a magnificent horn. Their bodies retain their pristine whiteness, while their eyes, bills, legs, and feet experience a vibrant infusion of orange.
Throughout their lives, American White Pelicans undergo molting periods known as “eclipse.” Spring brings forth a visible yellowish patch on their breasts and chests, while summer ushers in the emergence of blackish feathers 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)
Before the winter months descend, American White Pelicans fulfill their breeding duties in secluded inland lakes across North America. Subsequently, they embark on a migratory journey, making a temporary home along the southern Pacific Coast of the United States, the Gulf of Mexico, Mexico, and Central America. As they traverse the land during migration, keen observers may catch a glimpse of these majestic birds in the western and central states of the U.S.
American White Pelicans favor the tranquil embrace of shallow freshwater lakes, wetlands, and the fringes of lakes and rivers. Come winter, their presence graces coastal bays, inlets, and estuaries, where they diligently forage in shallow waters and find solace upon sandbars.
Fish reign supreme in the American White Pelican’s menu, swimming just beneath the water’s surface, enticing the avian behemoths to plunge their colossal bills into the depths. They also engage in cooperative foraging endeavors with their avian counterparts, employing strategic maneuvers to drive fish toward the shore, where they can be effortlessly captured.
Opportunistic in nature, American White Pelicans possess an innate understanding of where to find sustenance. They traverse vast distances in search of bountiful feeding grounds, ever vigilant for the possibility of snatching fish from the water’s surface, pilfering from their fellow birds.
Vocalizations from American White Pelicans are generally sparse, with silence reigning supreme or occasional grunts serving as their sole means of communication. However, their offspring, congregating in massive colonies, can be quite vociferous as they beseech their providers for nourishment.
Nesting habits of American White Pelicans involve the creation of simple, shallow depressions on the ground. The parents diligently fortify the nest with twigs, sticks, reeds, and various materials, ensuring protection for the precious eggs.
Once the stage is set, the female lays one to two eggs, and both parents partake in the incubation process, dedicating themselves to the task for approximately thirty-six days. Sadly, due to the unfortunate phenomenon known as siblicide, only one nestling survives, as one sibling turns against the other in a fight for dominance.
Fun Fact: The American White Pelican’s elongated, cavernous bill possesses the astonishing capacity to accommodate three gallons of water. When capturing fish from the sea, it adeptly tilts its bill downward, allowing the water to drain away, leaving behind a delectable feast within its throat sac.
Brown Pelican
Regrettably, the realm of Minnesota only experiences sporadic encounters with the Brown Pelican, categorizing it as a rare or accidental species. Infrequent sightings occurred most recently in 2013 near Myre-Big Island State Park.
When donning its non-breeding attire, the adult Brown Pelican
adorns a countenance of white, extending to its head and neck, accompanied by a pale yellow forehead. Its elongated bill showcases hues of yellow and orange. Its body emanates shades of grayish-brown, supported by short black legs and webbed feet. Juvenile Brown Pelicans exhibit brown feathers adorning their heads, necks, backs, and wings, while their bluish-gray bills and light brown undersides complete their youthful appearance.
The Brown Pelican boasts five distinctive subspecies, two of which breed within the confines of the United States. P.o.californicus, heralding from the Pacific Coast, and P.o.carolinensis, the Atlantic Coast variant, stand as remarkable representatives of their species.
During the breeding season, the disparities between Pacific and Atlantic Brown Pelicans become more apparent. Both subspecies bear white heads adorned with bright yellow foreheads. However, their napes undergo a transformation, transitioning from white to dark brown. While Atlantic Brown Pelicans exhibit olive-brown throat pouches, their Pacific counterparts showcase vibrant red skin enveloping their throat 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, whether resident or migratory, grace the Pacific and Atlantic Coasts of North America, extending their range as far as northern South America.
Shallow water environments serve as the preferred habitats for Brown Pelicans. They establish year-round residences in estuaries and coastal marine landscapes, while their resting spots may include mangrove islets, sandbars, breakwaters, and offshore rocks.
The Brown Pelican possesses an extraordinary diving ability that distinguishes it from its peers. Plunging into the depths of the ocean, it skillfully captures prey within its expandable throat pouch. Upon resurfacing, the pouch drains the excess water, enabling the pelican to swiftly consume its catch.
Sardines and herring dominate the Brown Pelican’s menu during their diving escapades. When not engaged in dramatic dives, they leisurely swim, effortlessly seizing their prey with their bills. Additionally, their palate may include crustaceans like prawns, amphibians, eggs, and other young birds.
In terms of vocalizations, adult Brown Pelicans tend to maintain a solemn silence, occasionally punctuated by grunts. Juveniles, on the other hand, enthusiastically emit squawks as they fervently beseech their providers for nourishment.
Brown Pelicans exhibit a preference for constructing nests on the ground, favoring islands, mangroves, and cliffs as their nesting sites. The female takes the lead in nest-building, skillfully arranging reeds, leaves, pebbles, and sticks bound together by soil. Each nest becomes a sanctuary for the female to lay two to four eggs, with both parents dutifully incubating them for approximately a month.
Fun Fact: Brown Pelicans employ a unique incubation method, utilizing their webbed feet to cover and protect their eggs. However, this behavior had unintended consequences in the past. During the era when the pesticide DDT wreaked havoc, thinning the eggshells, the weight of the parents’ feet caused them to crack. Only through dedicated conservation efforts did the Brown Pelican manage to regain its population numbers.