Project Noah is a tool to explore and document wildlife and a platform to harness the power of citizen scientists everywhere.
Project Noah is a tool to explore and document wildlife and a platform to harness the power of citizen scientists everywhere.
Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
White with black primaries and outer secondaries. These are breeding pairs. Juveniles have a black or blackish head/neck some of these are nursing younger Pelicans. They are a gorgeous Big White Bird!
They are prevelant in Montana especially the eastern parts where the rains have filled up, rather submerged the Great Plains. They are breeders in lakes and more likely non breeders in Rivers. They are a big attraction in Yellowstone Park... but for me it's a just a 30 min drive
These pix were taken at Halfbreed National Wildlife Reserve. It has not had water in it for 10 or more years. The area is surrounded by Prairie Dog towns and colonies and the requisite Borrowing Owls. It also has a fine population of Great Plains Toads, Horney Toads and Tiger Salamanders... now that we're getting waaaaaaaay more than usual rain. As i was sneaking up, they started kettling above me first very low - maybe 35 or 40 of them and higher and higher they went then flew back down to a Pelican social on the waters to my left of these individual pix. Perhaps to say 'welcome' !? i was no doubt the first person on the premises in 10 years... and not a person many miles.
Lat: 45.74, Long: -108.50
Spotted on Aug 13, 2011
Submitted on Sep 30, 2011
3 Comments
great pics!
Hi Alice, no, their pretty smart, they migrate to the Gulf Coast states from FL around to Texas and along the Mexican coast and along the Baja penninsula both sides up to the Central CA Coast, with some in AZ and NM.
There are about 20,000 breeding pairs in the US mostly in Montana and N.Dakota trailing a bit over to Utah, ID and NV. They are a pleasant sight in Yellowstone Nat'l Park; And about 50,000 breeding pairs in Canada.
Do they stay the winter? Nice picture.