birds 



OF YELLOWSTONE AND 



GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARKS 



WHITE PELICAN (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) 



A ponderous bird with an enlarged bill and a large bill pouch, the white 

 pelican is a fishing specialist with a somewhat limited distribution in 

 Yellowstone and Grand Teton. In Yellowstone, it breeds in the remote 

 southern islands of Yellowstone Lake and is usually observed on the lake 

 and the upper portion of Yellowstone River, while in Grand Teton it is 

 primarily observed during spring and fall migration on or near Jackson 

 Lake. In contrast with its cousin, the brown pelican, which dives for its 

 fish prey, the white pelican fishes while swimming buoyantly on the sur- 

 face. The enlarged pouch, approximately eighteen inches long and six 

 inches deep in an adult bird, is employed as a fish scoop. A gregarious 

 species, pelicans nest in colonies and share the responsibilities of rearing 

 the young. In spite of their great size, white pelicans are efficient fliers, 

 able to soar for hours once aloft. 



White Pelican 



Robert C.Cildart 



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