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Manatee County

Audubon Society

American White Pelican

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Name

American White Pelican

Scientific Name

(Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)

Why they are special:
  • A giant, striking waterbird, one of the largest in North America, noted for its long bill and large wingspan.

  • Florida sees them mainly as winter and migratory visitors, often gliding in large flocks over coastal and inland waters.
Size and color:
  • Very large, about 50–70 inches long with a wingspan of 95–120 inches.

  • Mostly white with black primary flight feathers, orange bill, and large throat pouch.

  • Juveniles are duller, with grayish wings and paler bills.
Seasonality in Florida:
  • Winter visitor and migrant, typically seen November through March.
Habitat:
  • Freshwater lakes, rivers, and coastal estuaries.

  • Often seen flying in large, V-shaped formations or resting in shallow lakes.
Diet:
  • Fish specialists—work in groups to herd fish into shallow water, then scoop them up with their massive bills.
Behavior:
  • Fly in tight formations, often low over water.

  • Social and gregarious, rarely solitary.
Conservation notes:

  • American White Pelicans winter along Florida’s Gulf Coast, including Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, and Charlotte Harbor.

  • They rely on undisturbed coastal roosting islands and inland lakes for foraging.

  • Conservation focus locally is on preserving seagrass beds, estuaries, and coastal wetlands, which sustain the fish populations pelicans depend on.

Best time to see:
  • Winter and migration, especially on large inland lakes and coastal estuaries in Manatee County.
Fun Fact:
  • Despite their size, White Pelicans do not dive for fish like Brown Pelicans—they scoop them while swimming!

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