American White Pelican

Size: 54-70 inches

This bird lives in shallow bodies of water with lots of fish and eats by putting its head and beak underwater.

Food: fish – 3 pounds a day!

Nest: scrape on ground

In Marin: Leave in spring on breed on an island in a lake in Nevada

Wingspan 9 feet!

A species of special concern in California. Used to nest in California, but doesn’t any more. Only 15 colonies in the world.





Photo courtesy of Sherry Ballard, California Academy of Sciences
© 1999 California Academy of Sciences