White pelican

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The American White Pelican is a large aquatic bird. The American White Pelican rivals the Trumpeter Swan as the longest bird native to North America. It has an overall length is about 50–70 in, courtesy of the huge beak which measures 11.3–15.2 in in males and 10.3–14.2 in in females. It has a wingspan of about 95–120 in. The species also has the second largest average wingspan of any North American bird, after the California Condor.

Fish-eating birds come in different forms. Small birds like terns and kingfishers dive for minnows and shad; eagles and ospreys grab fish from the surface and tear them into bite-sized pieces; and herons and egrets spear their prey and snatch it from the water. But those aren’t the ways of the pelicans. Instead of stabbing, snatching, and diving for food, pelicans scoop their prey from the water. And with the longest beaks in the bird world and a fleshy pouch that holds three gallons of…

One of the largest North American birds, the American White Pelican is majestic in the air. The birds soar with incredible steadiness on broad, white-and-black wings. Their large heads and huge, heavy bills give them a prehistoric look. On the water they dip their pouched bills to scoop up fish, or tip-up like an oversized dabbling duck. Sometimes, groups of pelicans work together to herd fish into the shallows for easy feeding. Look for them on inland lakes in summer and near coastlines in…

Lake Merritt, Oakland California

Photo about White Pelican - Pelecanus onocrotalus (18 months) in front of a white background. Image of creature, pelican, profile - 8419448

American White Pelican Coloring Page

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