American White Pelicans Return to Tampa Bay
American white pelicans are a show-stopper for nearly everyone who sees them when they return to Tampa Bay in the late fall.
They are clearly related to the native brown pelican, but their enormous size, stark-white plumage, and tendency to travel in large flocks make them a unique sight.
- Weigh up to 30 pounds
- Wingspans extend up to nine feet
- Among the largest birds native to North America
They nest in colonies of 5,000 birds near brackish or freshwater lakes in isolated areas from Manitoba, Canada, and Minnesota west to northern California.
Most populations migrate southeast and southwest to bays and estuaries in coastal lowlands for the winter, with some nonbreeding populations remaining in those coastal areas, especially in Florida.
Unlike brown pelicans, which capture prey by diving into the water, white pelicans are more likely to “herd” fish.
Author's summary: American white pelicans migrate to Tampa Bay in the fall, showcasing their unique characteristics.