American White Pelican

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

American White Pelican. Photo:Peter Mirejovsky

This is a familiar bird to all with its fleshy throat pouch and long beak. Pelicans have a wing span of eight to ten feet. They are effortless flyers, even in the heaviest gale winds. They breed in the central portion of Canada in the prairie provinces. They are very gregarious and thus quite amusing to watch. During the breeding season, the pelicans migrate inland to large lakes where they breed. In the summer they inhabit the waters of both coasts as well as some lakes.

Distribution of American White Pelican in Canada