American White Pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchos. A Pair of American White Pelicans floating down the Yellowstone River. One takes a moment of opportunity to snatch a trout that just happened to come close to the surface. Information Length: 50 inches Wingspan: 110 inches Sexes similar Huge, white bird with black primaries and outer secondaries Flies with neck tucked. These birds are more buoyant than the Brown Pelicans and unlike their coastal counsins do not dive or plunge into the water for their food. They Feed while swimming in that they cooperate to surround fish in shallow water, scooping them into their pouches. They take in both water and fish, and then hold their bills vertically to drain out the water before swallowing the food. Because of pesticides, human disturbance, and the draining of wetlands, this species is in decline. The number of active colonies has dropped sharply in recent decades.
11 Comments
Emily Reed 13 Nov 2005
Wonderful!georgia brown 30 Jun 2005
Great shot!!!Les Jobes 30 Jun 2005
What an excellent catch.. and for you too! :D Fabulous photos Gary.. great eye and timing!! what wonderful instinctive behaviour.... bet his buddy would have liked a taste! :o)stan jones 30 Jun 2005
nice catch for both of you we have white ones as well i have seen them sitting on top of power poles looking into the Swan River looking for a feed that may come bythea walstra 30 Jun 2005
Perfect shotLoredana 30 Jun 2005
Awesome Garry as always perfect photo...ashok nayak 30 Jun 2005
ahh..Pelicans are in action!! fantastic atmosphere n beautiful shot Gary!!Pat Abbott 30 Jun 2005
Wow, this is a fabulous shot, Gary.joan warburton 30 Jun 2005
They're so majestic! Wonderful photo!Joke Schotting 30 Jun 2005
Great shot and beautiful Garysher richardson 30 Jun 2005
another beautiful image Gar....i adore wildlife and their survival intincts... youve captured them well.... : )