American white pelican
Late April brings one of Manitoba’s more surprising sights: huge white birds with wingspans close to three metres, gliding in over the prairie just as the rivers open up. American white pelicans arrive from the south in spring and head for the rapids and dams, where fish get funnelled into easy reach, and for the lake islands where they nest. Watch a flock working churning water and you could be forgiven for thinking you were somewhere far more tropical.
These are among the largest birds in North America, and they fish as a team, sometimes herding schools of fish into the shallows before scooping them up. The big pouch is a scoop net, not a storage bag: it drains the water before the fish is swallowed. In breeding season adults grow a small horn on the bill that drops off once the eggs are laid. Most pelicans leave Manitoba by September or October for the southern U.S. and Mexico.
For more on the American white pelican and its habitat, see its species guide at All About Birds.
Explore the pelican collection
Pelican fishing
Pelicans fish as a team, working the churning water below the dams: scooping, tipping the pouch to drain it, and swallowing the catch.
Pelican flight
Wingspans close to three metres, with heavy takeoffs, graceful landings, and low passes over the water.
Pelican portraits and details
A closer look at the eye, the bill, and the feathers of these huge birds.
Pelican flocks and gatherings
Big groups at the dam, with a rainbow over the rapids, and smaller gatherings on the shore.
American white pelican Manitoba sightings
Where and when you can find the american white pelican in Manitoba depends on the season and the habitat. You can see more species in the Manitoba birds section.
Back to Manitoba bird photography, or see the portfolio.