In the realm of North America, one can encounter both variations of the majestic Pelican species residing in Oklahoma. These two species are known as the American White Pelican and the Brown Pelican.
Throughout the entirety of the year, American White Pelicans grace the landscapes of Oklahoma with their presence. Conversely, spotting a Brown Pelican in this region is a rarity or an accidental occurrence, as they are not frequently observed.
Pelicans, being among the largest avian creatures on Earth, possess remarkable features that make them easily recognizable. Their colossal bills, throat pouches, and feet contribute to their distinctive appearance. Despite their immense size, they are surprisingly lightweight due to air pockets nestled within their skeletal structure and skin, which allow them to effortlessly float. Additionally, their extensive wings facilitate graceful soaring during flight.
The world is home to a total of eight pelican species, and two of them can be found in North America: the American White Pelican and the Brown Pelican.
During the breeding season, the facial skin, throats, and bills of pelicans undergo a vibrant transformation, exhibiting brighter colors and sometimes even growing additional structures on their bills.
Pelicans congregate in colonies, often comprising up to an astonishing 50,000 individuals. Depending on the species, these colonies may nest either on the ground or in trees. After approximately 25 days of nesting, the young pelicans gather in “creches” consisting of up to 100 chicks. Astoundingly, the parents possess the remarkable ability to recognize and solely provide nourishment to their own offspring.
Despite preying on various creatures, pelicans are not classified as birds of prey, as that distinction is reserved solely for raptors. Their primary diet consists of fish, although they are also known to consume crabs, frogs, snakes, mammals, birds, and insects.
Pelicans employ their throat pouches to ensnare fish, subsequently expelling water before ingestion. Young pelicans even partake in direct feeding from their parents’ pouches.
To assist in identifying the diverse pelican species encountered in Oklahoma, this guide draws upon information sourced from avibase and the data collected by avid birdwatchers through ebird. It provides genuine insights into the specific times when these remarkable birds can be observed.
2 Pelican Species in Oklahoma:
American White Pelican
American White Pelicans are present throughout the year in Oklahoma, yet their numbers surge during the winter months, particularly from October to January. Their presence accounts for 2% of checklists during the summer and 9% during the winter, as reported by diligent birdwatchers in the state.
American White Pelicans are majestic aviators, boasting the second-largest average wingspan among all North American birds.
Non-breeding adult American White Pelicans don a splendid white plumage, except for their black flight feathers, which become evident during flight or when their wings are unfurled. These pelicans possess bluish-gray eyes, and their facial skin surrounding the eyes takes on a yellow hue. Their bills, pouches, and feet exhibit a pale orange coloration. On the other hand, juveniles sport light gray feathers with darker brown napes.
Breeding adult American White Pelicans boast distinct appearances compared to their non-breeding counterparts. They develop a yellow plate on their upper bills, reminiscent of a horn. While their bodies remain predominantly white, the areas surrounding their eyes, bills, legs, and feet transition into a brighter shade of orange.
American White Pelicans undergo various molting phases, referred to as “eclipse.” During spring, a noticeable yellowish patch emerges on their breast and chest, followed by the appearance of blackish feathers on their heads in the summer.
- 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 across North America before embarking on their winter sojourn to the southern Pacific Coast of the United States, the Gulf of Mexico, Mexico, and Central America. Their migration route allows for potential sightings in the western and central regions of the United States.
American White Pelicans can be found in shallow freshwater lakes, wetlands, and the perimeters of lakes and rivers. During winter, they frequent coastal bays, inlets, and estuaries, utilizing shallow waters for foraging while resting on sandbars.
The primary component of the American White Pelican’s diet is fish. They skillfully swim near the water’s surface, employing their formidable bills to secure their prey. They often engage in cooperative foraging with other birds, strategically driving fish towards the shore, where they can efficiently scoop them up.
As opportunistic feeders, American White Pelicans gravitate toward locations abundant in food. They may travel vast distances in search of optimal feeding grounds, and they occasionally partake in crayfish, amphibians, and salamanders. Furthermore, they have been known to pilfer fish from the water’s surface, snatching them away from unsuspecting birds.
The vocalizations of American White Pelicans are typically limited to silence, occasionally punctuated by a few grunts. However, their offspring within large colonies can be quite noisy as they vociferously beg for food.
Nests of American White Pelicans consist of simple, shallow depressions on the ground. Additional materials, such as twigs, sticks, reeds, and other available items, are added atop the soil to provide protection for the eggs.
The female pelican then proceeds to lay one to two eggs, which are diligently incubated by both parents for up to thirty-six days. Unfortunately, due to a phenomenon known as siblicide, where one sibling eliminates the other, only one chick typically survives in each nest.
Fun Facts: The elongated and substantial bill of the American White Pelican has the capacity to hold an astonishing three gallons of water. When they capture fish from the sea, they tilt their bills downward, draining the water and enabling them to consume the remaining fish within their throat sacs.
Brown Pelican
Brown Pelicans are classified as rare or accidental species in Oklahoma, although a few sightings have been reported in the state, primarily around Tulsa and Oklahoma City. In 2020, some were even spotted near Heraldton City Lake.
Non-breeding adult Brown Pelicans typically exhibit white heads and necks with pale yellow foreheads. Their elongated bills showcase a combination of yellow and orange hues. Their bodies possess a grayish-brown coloration, while their legs are short and their feet webbed. Juveniles feature brown 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: P.o.californicus along the Pacific Coast and P.o.carolinensis along the Atlantic Coast.
Distinguishing between the Pacific and Atlantic Brown Pelicans becomes more apparent during the breeding season. Both species exhibit white heads with noticeably brighter yellow foreheads. However, their napes undergo a transformation from white to dark brown. Atlantic Brown Pelicans possess olive-brown throat pouches, whereas their Pacific counterparts boast red skin within their pouches.
- 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 as far south as northern South America.
Brown Pelicans can be found in proximity to shallow water environments. They establish permanent residences in estuaries and coastal marine habitats. Resting periods may be observed on mangrove islets, sandbars, breakwaters, and offshore rocks.
These remarkable birds possess a unique foraging ability that distinguishes them. They plunge into the depths of the ocean to capture prey within their throat pouches, subsequently resurfacing to drain the water and promptly swallow their catch.
Their primary diet consists of fish such as sardines and herring. When not diving, they leisurely swim and seize their prey with their bills. Additionally, they may consume crustaceans like prawns, amphibians, eggs, and young birds.
Brown Pelican calls: Adults typically remain silent, aside from occasional grunts. However, juveniles vocalize in a squawking manner when soliciting food.
Nests of Brown Pelicans are more frequently constructed on the ground rather than in trees. These nests are usually concealed and safeguarded on islands, within mangroves, or on cliffs. The female diligently assembles the nest using reeds, leaves, pebbles, sticks, and compacted soil. Subsequently, she lays two to four eggs, which both parents incubate for approximately a month.
Fun Fact: Brown Pelicans employ their webbed feet to cover their eggs during incubation. However, this practice proved detrimental to their population when the pesticide DDT led to the thinning of eggshells, causing them to break under the weight of their parent’s feet. Numerous conservation efforts were necessary to restore the Brown Pelican population to sustainable levels.