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education: birds of georgia American White Pelican, Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
Status: Occurrence is changing as of 2006. In 2003, considered uncommon to rare visitor to Coast all year, rare in the summer, with most records Oct-May. Rare in the Coastal Plain fall through spring, 16 records, 15 Aug (1981) - 10 May (1941) and accidental in summer with 29 birds at Fitzgerald ( Ben Hill ) 11 Jun 1963 (Hopkins 1963). Accidental in the Piedmont (Beaton). Before 2003, the only reliable place to find the species was Cumberland Sound ( Camden ), but a flock of over 100 birds was seen at Andrews Island ( Glynn ) 7 Aug 2005 and a similar count was recorded in May 2006 (Howard, P. and Zaremba, B). Glynn County sightings near Jekyll Island are more frequent. More flocks have been seen at Walter F. George Dam ( Clay ) and at West Point Dam ( Troup ) with 150+ on 17-18 Nov 2006 (Howard, P. and Zaremba B.) Reasons for changes in status poorly known, but summer flocks may pertain to non-breeding birds. Status now may be uncommon all year on Coast and uncommon on western lakes spring, winter and fall. Most birds migrate to nesting grounds north of Georgia but some non-breeders linger. Habitat: Marshes, lakes and salt bays and brackish impoundments. Nests across the Prairie Provinces of Canada and in ND, SD, MT, ID, OR, NV, CA and UT on islands in fresh water lakes and locally on coastal islands. Feeding areas in fresh water marshes, shallow lakes and rivers may be far from nesting areas. Winters along the Gulf coast from Texas to Florida in sheltered bays and estuaries in Georgia and Florida (Kaufman). Diet: Mostly fish, but also crayfish and salamanders. Forages by sitting on water and scooping fish into its pouch using vision and feel to locate prey. Does not plunge dive. (Kaufman). Identification: Told by its huge size ( 9 foot wingspan) and its white plumage, its black primaries and secondaries, and its deep yellow or pinkish bill. Conservation: Nesting areas susceptible to human disturbance and to loss of habitat. Wetland preservation in Great Plains and coastal preservation on Gulf of Mexico essential. Where to find it: Cumberland Sound from U.S. Park Service boat to Cumberland Island and Andrews Island in Brunswick are currently(2006) reliable. Walter F. George Reservoir and West Point Reservoir also possibilities.
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