Bird of the Month Aug 2022- American White Pelican

Photos courtesy of Brian Meltzner.

Our bird of the month is the American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos). Pelicans are fish eating birds, who dive and catch whole fish within their large beaks. Pelicans are commonly found on the coasts, however the American White Pelican migrates in the summer inland to breed. One of their large colonies is found on Anahoe Island in Pyramid Lake. Pelicans from this colony are often seen in the mornings at wetlands in Northern Nevada (such as Sparks Marina or Rosewood Nature Study Area). The birds fly down in flocks, known as squadrons, fly their bellies with fish from the ponds then fly back to the colony at Ananhoe Island. Seeing squadrons of Pelicans around Northern Nevada inspired our founders to choose the Pelican as Lahontan Audubon Society's mascot.

To learn more about American White Pelicans, visit the Audubon Field Guide below:

American White Pelican on Audubon.org