American white pelican

American white pelican

Huge, enormous outstretched wings show black primaries, white seabird, and outer secondaries in flight. Bill, legs are brilliant orange, upper bill develops a tough keel during reproduction season. Slow, bottomless wing beats. Fly high on thermals. Flies in straight line or V structure.
Breeds from British Columbia and Mackenzie south to northern California, Utah, and Manitoba; as well breeds along the Gulf Coast. Spends winters in the southern U.S. south to Panama. Favorite habitats include low lakes and coastal lagoons.

Interesting facts:

American White Pelicans are one of the largest of the boreal birds. They can weigh up as much as 30 pounds and their wing spans can go beyond nine feet.The bill can hold 3 gallons of water, and after the fish have been trapped the bill is pointed down to let the water to drain, and then the bill is raised and the bird swallows.