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WetlandPlatform nestHuge · 5.6 kg
What the American White Pelican sounds like
ID tip
The American white pelican rivals the trumpeter swan, with a similar overall length, as one of the longest birds native to North America. Both very large and plump, it has an overall length of about 50–70 in (130–180 cm), courtesy of the huge beak which measures 11.3–15.2 in (290–390 mm) in males and 10.3–14.2 in (260–360 mm) in females. It has a wingspan of about 95–120 in (240–300 cm). The species also has the second-largest average wingspan of any North American bird, after the California condor. This large wingspan allows the bird to use soaring flight for migration easily.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
When to see the American White Pelican
One bar for each month, and every month is filled: this bird is recorded here in all twelve. The wide bar is May, the month with the most records.
Where to see the American White Pelican
The map shades 19 countries with regular records, and 1 more in a lighter tone where the bird turns up only as a stray. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.
Recorded as a rare visitor in Colombia.
About the American White Pelican
The American white pelican is a large aquatic soaring bird from the order Pelecaniformes. It breeds in interior North America, moving south and to the coasts, as far as Costa Rica, in winter.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Easily confused with
Brown PelicanPelecanus occidentalisThe brown pelican is the smallest of the eight extant pelican species, but is often one of the larger seabirds in their range nonetheless.
Australian PelicanPelecanus conspicillatusThe Australian pelican is medium-sized by pelican standards, with a wingspan of 2.3 to 2.6 m (7.5 to 8.5 ft).
Great White PelicanPelecanus onocrotalusThe great white pelican is a huge bird—only the Dalmatian pelican is, on average, larger among pelicans.
Side by side: American White Pelican vs Brown Pelican · American White Pelican vs Australian Pelican · American White Pelican vs Great White Pelican
Watch the American White Pelican on live cams
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