In the realm of North American avifauna, one can discover two distinct species of Pelican gracefully adorning the Texan skies. These avian beauties include the American White Pelican and the Brown Pelican, both of which can be observed throughout the year in this magnificent region.
Pelicans, renowned for their imposing size, stand as majestic ambassadors of the avian world. With their magnificent bills, expansive throat pouches, and formidable feet, they make an unmistakable impression. Despite their colossal stature, they possess a remarkable lightness, owing to air pockets housed within their skeletal structure and skin. These buoyant adaptations enable them to effortlessly navigate the water’s surface, while their elongated wings facilitate graceful flight through the skies.
Within the global avian community, eight distinct species of pelicans exist, two of which thrive in the vibrant lands of North America. The American White Pelican and Brown Pelican proudly claim their domain within this region.
During the breeding season, pelicans undergo remarkable transformations. Their facial skin, throats, and bills adopt vibrant hues, and some even develop additional appendages on their bills.
Pelicans gather in sprawling colonies of up to 50,000 individuals for the purpose of breeding, exhibiting either ground-nesting or tree-nesting tendencies, depending on the species. After spending approximately 25 days within the nest, the young pelicans assemble in “creches” comprising up to 100 juvenile birds. Astonishingly, the parents possess an innate ability to recognize their own offspring and solely provide nourishment to them.
While pelicans are known to prey on various creatures, they are not categorized as birds of prey, a distinction reserved for raptors exclusively. Their primary diet consists of fish, although they do not shy away from indulging in a diverse menu comprising crabs, frogs, snakes, mammals, birds, and insects.
Employing their remarkable throat pouches, pelicans adeptly capture fish and skillfully drain the water before devouring their aquatic delicacies. Young pelicans, in their early stages of development, directly feed from their parents’ bountiful throat pouches.
To aid in the identification of the pelican species residing in the magnificent Texan lands, this comprehensive guide draws upon the invaluable resources of Avibase and the firsthand accounts of passionate birdwatchers documented on eBird. Together, these sources provide real-time insights into the preferred habitats and seasonal visibility of these avian wonders.
The Splendor of the American White Pelican in Texas
The American White Pelican, a regal presence throughout the year, showcases heightened prominence during the winter months, from November to February. Observations collected from diligent birdwatchers’ checklists indicate that these magnificent creatures grace around 1% of summertime recordings and an impressive 10% of winter recordings in the great state of Texas.
As soaring giants of the avian realm, American White Pelicans boast the second-largest average wingspan among all North American birds.
Adult American White Pelicans, during their non-breeding phase, exhibit an immaculate white plumage, save for the black flight feathers visible during flight or when their wings stretch wide. Their eyes display a captivating bluish-gray hue, while their facial skin surrounding the eyes radiates a gentle yellow tone. Pale orange accents adorn their bills, pouches, and feet. In contrast, juveniles flaunt light gray feathers adorned with darker brown napes.
Breeding adults of the American White Pelican showcase distinct coloration compared to their non-breeding counterparts. A striking yellow plate, akin to a majestic horn, forms on their upper bills. Though their bodies remain resplendent in white, the areas surrounding their eyes, bills, legs, and feet undergo a transformation, radiating a vibrant shade of orange.
Throughout their lifecycle, American White Pelicans experience a series of molting changes referred to as “eclipse.” In the spring, a visible yellowish patch emerges on their breast and chest, while blackish feathers grace their heads during the summer.
- Scientific classification: 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 within remote inland lakes of North America, embarking on a winter sojourn to the southern Pacific Coast of the United States, the Gulf of Mexico, Mexico, and Central America. During their migratory journey, these majestic creatures can be spotted in western and central states of the US.
Shallow freshwater lakes, wetlands, and the fringes of lakes and rivers serve as favored habitats for American White Pelicans. In the winter months, they gracefully grace coastal bays, inlets, and estuaries, engaging in foraging activities in shallow waters and finding respite on sandbars.
The primary sustenance of American White Pelicans consists of fish. Employing their immense bills, they glide atop the water’s surface, seizing their prey with astonishing precision. They also partake in cooperative foraging endeavors alongside fellow avian companions, employing strategic maneuvers to drive fish towards the shore, enabling them to secure a bountiful feast.
As opportunistic feeders, American White Pelicans journey vast distances in search of abundant feeding grounds. They display remarkable adaptability and versatility in their diet, relishing the consumption of crayfish, amphibians, salamanders, and even pilfering fish from the surface of the water, asserting their dominance over fellow avian inhabitants.
When it comes to vocalization, American White Pelicans tend to maintain a predominantly silent demeanor, punctuated by occasional grunts. However, their young progeny within the expansive colonies can be rather vociferous, fervently expressing their hunger through audible pleas.
American White Pelican nests manifest as modest, shallow depressions nestled upon the ground. Twigs, sticks, reeds, and an assortment of materials are carefully arranged atop the soil, serving as protective barriers for their precious eggs.
The female pelican assumes the responsibility of laying one to two eggs, diligently attended by both parents throughout an incubation period of up to thirty-six days. Sadly, due to the occurrence of siblicide, wherein one sibling eliminates the other, only one chick per nest emerges triumphant, ensuring the survival of the fittest.
Fascinating Tidbit: The elongated and voluminous bill of the American White Pelican possesses an astonishing capacity to hold three gallons of water. This exceptional adaptation permits the pelican to tilt its bill downward, effectively draining the excess water, allowing the consumption of the remaining fish ensconced within its remarkable throat sac.
The Enigmatic Presence of the Brown Pelican
As permanent residents of Texas, Brown Pelicans primarily inhabit the southern regions of the state, particularly along the enchanting coastline. These captivating creatures grace approximately 4% of summer checklists and 6% of winter checklists, as diligently recorded by passionate birdwatchers.
Non-breeding adult Brown Pelicans present a distinguished appearance, characterized by white heads and necks accentuated by pale yellow foreheads. Their elongated bills, pale and lengthy, exhibit a mesmerizing combination of yellow and orange hues. Grayish-brown bodies harmoniously blend with their short, black legs and webbed feet. In contrast, juvenile Brown Pelicans boast brown heads, necks, backs, and wings, while their bluish-gray elongated bills accentuate their overall light brown underparts.
The Brown Pelican, in all its splendor, boasts five distinctive subspecies, two of which thrive within the boundaries of the United States. The Pacific Coast variant, known as P.o.californicus, and the Atlantic Coast variant, known as P.o.carolinensis, stand as the ambassadors of their respective regions.
During the breeding season, disparities between the Pacific and Atlantic Brown Pelicans become more pronounced. Both species exhibit resplendent white heads adorned with vivid yellow foreheads. The nape, transitioning from white to dark brown, provides an additional distinction. Furthermore, Atlantic Brown Pelicans flaunt olive-brown throat pouches, while their Pacific counterparts display vibrant red skin within this captivating feature.
- Scientific classification: Pelecanus occidentalis
- Length: 48 – 50 inches (122 – 127 cm)
- Weight: 131.2 ounces (3718 g)
- Wingspan: 78 – 84 inches (198 – 213 cm)
Brown Pelicans inhabit various regions, either as breeding and migratory birds or as year-round residents along the Pacific and Atlantic Coasts of North America, extending towards northern South America.
These intriguing creatures thrive in shallow water environments, predominantly inhabiting estuaries and coastal marine habitats year-round. Additional sightings may occur amidst mangrove islets, as well as on sandbars, breakwaters, and offshore rocks, serving as their tranquil resting spots.
Distinctive foraging capabilities distinguish Brown Pelicans from their avian counterparts. With remarkable agility, they plunge into the depths of oceanic waters, effortlessly capturing their prey within their capacious throat pouches. Upon resurfacing, water promptly drains from their pouches, allowing immediate consumption of the acquired bounty.
Fish, such as sardines and herring, compose the primary sustenance of Brown Pelicans. When not engaged in daring dives, they adopt a more leisurely approach, leisurely swimming while adeptly seizing prey with their bills. Their eclectic diet may also include crustaceans like prawns, amphibians, eggs, and young birds.
Regarding vocalizations, adult Brown Pelicans tend to maintain a predominantly tranquil disposition, punctuated only by occasional grunts. However, the juveniles, driven by insatiable hunger, emit exuberant squawks as they fervently appeal for nourishment.
Nests constructed by Brown Pelicans often find their abode on the ground, as opposed to the lofty branches of trees. These concealed nests are commonly located on islands, within mangroves, or upon cliffs, affording an enhanced level of protection. The female pelican, with unwavering dedication, diligently weaves reeds, leaves, pebbles, and sticks into a sturdy nest, carefully reinforcing it with soil. During the nesting period, the female lays a clutch of two to four eggs, which both parents dutifully incubate for approximately one month.
Fascinating Tidbit: Brown Pelicans employ their webbed feet in an unconventional manner to incubate their eggs. Covering the eggs with their feet, these remarkable birds provide warmth and protection. Unfortunately, during a dark period in their history, the pesticide DDT caused the thinning of their eggshells, leading to devastating consequences as the eggs were crushed under the weight of their parents’ feet. Numerous conservation efforts were undertaken to rectify the situation and restore the population of Brown Pelicans to its former glory.