Breeding
(female in foreground)

Adult: With a wingspand of ten feet, the American White Pelican is an impressive bird. Its white body is accented by yellow feet, a larger yellow-orange bill and an unfeathered yellow-orange throat pouch. Aloft, the underwing displays black trailing edges, making it even more eye-catching.

Breeding adult: An orange knob appears midway on bill of male in breeding season.

Immature: Gray bill and pouch. Wing tips and trailing edges brown.

Habitat: Inshore waters, freshwater marshes. Lakes.

A Florida resident December through July.

Text by Mary Jean Rogers, West Volusia Audubon.